Beyond tokenism
In Bangladesh, people with disabilities represent one of the most marginalised groups, often excluded from crucial conversations and decision-making processes. The National Survey on Persons with Disabilities (NSPD) 2021 reports that 2.8 percent of Bangladesh's population is recorded as having disabilities under the Persons with Disabilities Rights and Protection Act 2013. However, this figure is widely considered an underestimate. According to the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) 2023 Global Survey on Persons with Disabilities and Disasters, People with Disabilities constitute 16 percent of the global population, with 80 percent residing in the Global South, indicating a likely higher prevalence of disabilities in Bangladesh. People with disabilities face intersecting discrimination due to ageism, patriarchy, and ableism, limiting their inclusion in society.
Social Exclusion, as defined by Levitas et al. (2007), involves the lack and/or denial of resources, rights, and services that prevent participation in economic, social, and political life. In Bangladesh, persons with disabilities face systematic exclusion, with limited civil cociety participation, inaccessible services, and low employment levels. Only 27.21percent of persons with disabilities are engaged in economic activity, and 40.55percent of children with disabilities can attend school (BBS, 2022).
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Societal stigma, as described by Hilary Silver (2007), further diminishes their self-respect and capabilities to achieve personal goals. This exclusion is starkly evident in political representation—no person with a disability has ever been represented in Bangladesh's National Parliament. Exclusion from community consultations and reform committees further denies them a voice and access to essential advocacy resources.
As Mr. Monsur Ahmed Chowdhury, founder trustee of Impact Foundation Bangladesh, and a former member of the CRPD Committee points out, "There is not a single person with disability in the National Human Rights Commission," a powerful symbol of how institutional exclusion is perpetuated.
Bangladesh's recent reforms in sectors—including election systems, judiciary, and public administration—underscore this issue. Despite commitments to inclusion, the government has failed to engage Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in reform discussions, reflecting a troubling pattern of tokenistic gestures rather than genuine inclusion. While consultations were held with political parties, civil society organisations, and professional groups, OPDs were noticeably absent.
Chowdhury emphasises, "The interim government has formed six reform committees, but not a single one includes a representative from the people with disabilities." This exclusion persists despite Bangladesh's commitment to an equitable society, echoed by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, who stated, "We must build a new Bangladesh with integrity, dedication, and accountability in our respective fields."
Furthermore, while the Registration of Political Parties with the Commission Act 2020 mandates 33 percent women's participation in political parties, no similar requirement exists for people with disabilities, underscoring the need to broaden inclusion in reform discussions.
For genuine democratic reform, the participation of all segments of society, including People with Disabilities, is essential. Despite Bangladesh's stated commitment to inclusive policies, people with disabilities often remain marginalised when real change is discussed; they are present but not truly engaged in shaping the country's future. As Chowdhury stresses, "We must strive for a society that is barrier-free, rights-based, inclusive, and built on justice, equity, and dignity." Ignoring the input of people with disabilities risks perpetuating the exclusionary systems the government seeks to change.
The government must take active measures to ensure that people with disabilities are fully included in its ongoing reforms:
Consultation with OPDs: Reform committees should include representatives from disability rights organisations, ensuring the voices of people with disabilities are heard.
Improving Accessibility: Remove barriers and ensure equitable access, protection, and meaningful participation for people with disabilities in the reformation process by making committees fully accessible.
Bicameral Representation: As suggested by Mr. Chowdhury, "establish a Bicameral Parliament where the upper house includes representatives from marginalised groups, including people with disabilities, Indigenous groups, and other vulnerable communities."
The exclusion of this group from ongoing consultations reflects deeper structural issues that must be addressed if the government is to build the just, equitable society it envisions. As Chowdhury aptly puts it, "There is no alternative to a barrier-free, rights-based, and inclusive society." The government must move beyond symbolic inclusion and ensure that people with disabilities are not just invited to the table but are given a meaningful role in shaping the conversation and policies that affect them. Only then will their participation be more than just a gesture, but a genuine step toward a more inclusive society.
Shah Dedar is a master's student at Åbo Akademi University in Finland, specialising in social exclusion and experienced in age and disability inclusion.
Views expressed in this article are the author's own.
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