Staff Correspondent

Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Prof Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain on Tuesday said the state has a responsibility to stand beside all people, irrespective of their ethnicity, religion or colour.

He said the government is working in a coordinated manner to ensure the welfare and rights of all people in society, including children with special needs.

The minister made the remarks while addressing a programme marking World Cerebral Palsy Day 2026 and distributing special grant cheques, organised by the Neuro-Developmental Disability Protection Trust at the Bangladesh Social Welfare Council in Eskaton in the capital.

Highlighting the importance of ensuring the mental and physical well-being of parents and caregivers of children with special needs, Zahid said family members, particularly mothers, often have to work tirelessly day and night to provide round-the-clock care for their children.

Supporting the large number of parents and caregivers is also a key priority of the state, he said, adding that the government is working to make education, skills development and rehabilitation programmes for children with special needs more effective and sustainable.

Emphasising the need to protect the rights of people with special needs through urban planning and infrastructure development, the minister said ramps should be installed in large buildings and shopping malls to ensure accessibility.

He also stressed the need to make public transport accessible to people with special needs.

Calling for greater sensitivity towards them, Dr Zahid urged public transport drivers and assistants to behave respectfully and sensitively towards people with special needs. He also called on the general public to demonstrate empathy and understanding.

Stressing the role of the media in raising awareness, the minister said people often hesitate to speak openly about various social problems and realities.

Mainstream media and social media users should play a responsible role in raising public awareness by presenting these issues from a positive perspective, he added.

At the programme, the minister distributed special grant cheques among 50 children with special needs affected by cerebral palsy.

The event concluded with a cultural performance by children with special needs.

Social Welfare Secretary Dr Mohammad Abu Yusuf presided over the programme, while Executive Secretary of the Social Welfare Council Md Kamruzzaman Dulal attended as a special guest.

Managing Director of the trust Shamima Ferdous delivered the welcome address.

Professor Dr Md Mizanur Rahman, former chairman of the Department of Paediatric Neurology at Bangladesh Medical University and Dr Shaoli Sarkar, a paediatric neurologist at Bangladesh Shishu Hospital, presented the keynote paper on neuro-developmental disability (NDD) protection and prevention in observance of World Cerebral Palsy Day.

Children with special needs, their parents, senior officials of the relevant ministry and representatives of social welfare organisations were also present.