The Visually impaired women in Bangladesh

The Visually impaired women in Bangladesh

Azmal Hosen Mamun

Rozina Khatun (30) is a visually impaired woman of the village, Nayagola under the police station and district Chapai Nwabganj. She studied up to class five in Nayagola primary school. During her study one of the eyes was partially well

After one year of her birth, she suffered from chicken pox. Due to financial insolvency her parents could not give treatment. As a result, one eye was Damaged After this the 2nd Eye lost it's sight when he was in about 12 years old. The incident was like this, one day from a gusty wind a hard small particle fell upon her eye. She was feeling serious pain with continuous shedding of tears. Even after treatment by the eye specialist for four months she was loosing eye sight slowly and ultimately she became blind.

A Worker of Chapai Nwabganj PSID center brought her in Sirajganj Town and next in Rajshahi Eye Hospital. There the departmental doctors made comment that her eyes would be more deteriorated if the operation is done again. She could not be given in marriage for her blindness.

About 4 years ago she was emotionally involved with Chapai PSID center. As a result, she attends all meetings, held in the office Chapai Nwabganj PSID center. By a loan of Taka five thousands from ChapaiNawabganj-DPOD, she purchased a cow and two goats. Her mother helps her. In future she would like to have more cows to rear up. She may get loan from Bank but this would be not enough to fulfill her purpose.

Nafiza Akhter (Not real name) is passing time about 30 years. She is called as a blind and workless in society. She completed Masters Degree from National University. She also has taken training on Basic Computer office management from a reputed non government Institution. Her physically appearance is very beautiful. After completing masters' degree she has applied to many government and non government organization for the job. But she has failed in the job market. Nafiza Said, All ready I have applied for the job but, the authority does not allow me as candidate. So, I am very hopeless. Our prime minister has given order to all institutions for giving priority of the Job. But, Most of the Institution of employment did not abide by the order of our Government.

There is no real statistic of visually impaired women in our Bangladesh. There are many blind women in our Country who does not get opportunity for education, accessibility and job market. The visually impaired women in our country are much neglected and disadvantage community. Many visually impaired women in grass roots level are passing time in the home. Visually impaired women tend to have fewer opportunities to participate in community life than other disabled men, mainly due to cultural reasons. Controlled mobility and lack of access necessities in the surrounding environment can also be a hampering factor in the participation of visually impaired women in community life, but this aspect is common to disabled men as well.

Visually impaired women also tend to be relatively easy targets of sexual exploitation, particularly if they are mentally retarded. Generally, visually impaired women tend to be in a state of physical, social and economic dependency. This can lead to increased vulnerability to exploitation and violence. Because of the relative isolation and anonymity in which visually impaired women live, the potential for physical and emotional abuse is high. Because of their isolation however, visually impaired women are likely to have less resources to turn to for help.

The Executive Director of BPKS, Abdus Satter Dulal said that most of the visually impaired women in grass roots level are very discriminated in our society. There family is not aware for their education and accessibility. As a result, they pass time lazily in house. So, we should be aware their family by the awareness program and networking.

Latest UN Convention right on persons with Disabilities which our Government has singed and ratify in agree with other countries in the World. In this UN Convention has cleared the right of disabled women.

Article:-6 (1). States Parties recognize that women and girls with disabilities are subject to multiple discriminated and in this regard shall take measures to ensure the full and equal enjoyment by them of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Aritcle:-6 (2). States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure the full development, advancement and empowerment of women, for the purpose of guaranteeing them the exercise and enjoyment of the human rights and fundamental freedoms set out in the present Convention.

Writer:

Azmal Hosen Mamun

([email protected])

Development Activist (Disability & Development)

Bangladesh Protibandhi Kallyan Somity (BPKS)

Dakkhinkhan, Uttara, Dhaka-1230. Mob:[phone].