Bangladesh women's groups
In Bangladesh women do not have the same level of protection from human rights violations as men, for disabled women the situation is even worse and they continue to experience severe deprivation and sexual abuse. Although women are being included more in international development work – disabled women are still largely ignored.
There is still a belief in society that disabled people are “cursed by birth”, that disability is the result of a sin and that disabled people are burden, of no use to society and are incapable of doing anything for themselves. Disabled women have decided that it is time to change this!
Less than two years ago disabled women’s group began to come together and ADD International helped them to organise themselves into councils or “nari parishads”. Leaders of the councils hold frequent meetings to formulate the Constitution of the National Disabled Women’s Council.
These groups have worked hard and achieved great success in changing attitudes in their local communities and working with other non-disabled people to tackle social issues that affect all e.g. violence. Following successful campaigns by disabled women’s organisations non-disabled women have sought their advice and guidance on how to deal with cases of violence and seek justice for any woman whose rights have been violated.
Fatema’s story
Fatema was a 26 year old deaf woman, brutally killed following a gang rape. Although reported to the authorities the case was suppressed and the rapists remain free.
Shahida’s story
Shahida, had learning difficulties who one day did not return from the field where she grazed her goats – her dead body was recovered from a sugarcane field. Evidence showed that Shahida had been raped and murdered. A case was filed with the court, but no one was arrested.
Hasina’s story
Hasina was a girl with learning difficulties. One day she was returning from the health clinic with her sister in law through the fish market. At about 11am, in broad daylight and in front of other people, two men abducted and raped her. Although the police were informed and the local DPO became involved no one was arrested, nor could they rescue her. In fact it is the family who live in fear of the men who took Hasina because they reported them.
Fuljan’s story
Fuljan was a disabled girl with learning difficulties. She used to work in a rice-drying yard. On December 16th 2003 she was raped in the yard. The rapist was a known terrorist. The local village arbitration committee imposed a fine of Tk 5000 (approx. £39) on the rapist. The Disabled Women’s Council lodged a case with the local court in protest and the rapist was arrested, but released. The case is still under legal process.