Bangladesh
Supporting Disability Activists in Bangladesh.
Learn more about our work in Bangladesh and meet some of the activists we work with.
A vibrant movement.
Violence and discrimination towards disabled people were widespread before an organised disability movement was formed in Bangladesh. Children and women were the worst affected.
In 1995 we began working with a handful of dedicated, exceptional disabled people. With limited resources, the growth of the disability movement since then has been phenomenal, due to the commitment and determination of disability activists.
We now work with activist groups in more than 25 of the 64 districts of Bangladesh, covering nearly one third of the country.
Key issues we work on
Women's Rights
50% of disability activists in Bangladesh are women, who often experience abuse. We support organisations tailored to the specific issues facing these women
Accessing Rights
We help disability activists grow a political voice and representation, to hold powerholders to account and claim their rights
Employment
We work with disability activists to make sure disabled people can access jobs, loans and training to boost their independence and economic wellbeing
Pioneering mental health work.
In Bangladesh, the lack of information and mental health practitioners leads people to seek help from traditional healers, with damaging and potentially fatal consequences. We partner with activists to change this.
Meet the Activists
Kaddush, Bangladesh
Kaddush is visually impaired. For a long time he was ashamed and isolated, but he now leads an organisation of over 4,000 disabled members fighting for disability equality.
Sabina, Bangladesh
Sabina is one of the only female disability activists in her area: shunned by her village as a child she is now an award winning community leader.
Pushpa, Bangladesh
"I am Pushpa Rani. I live in South Central Bangladesh. I am 50 years old but I have had to spend my life crawling around like a child." Read how disability activists helped Pushpa re-discover her purpose, value and dignity.
Minnie Akter, Disability activist.
"In our area disabled women are more vulnerable to violence and abuse than disabled men. We wanted to do something help, so we went to ADD International and they said, ‘you decide how you want to proceed and we will help’."
Country Gallery
Let's build movements together
Millions of disabled people in Africa and Asia are still condemned to a life of poverty and exclusion. Right now, organisations of disability activists are working to fight discrimination and ensure every disabled person gets a fighting chance at living their best life. They urgently need your support.