If given proper training, autistic children and individuals can play a role in family, society and state formation - Social Welfare Minister Dipu Moni said.
She said these things while speaking as the chief guest at an event organized on the occasion of 'World Autism Awareness Day-2024' at Bangabandhu International Conference Center on Tuesday (02 April) morning.
The 17th World Autism Awareness Day-2024 was celebrated by the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Neuro Developmental Disabilities Protection Trust under the theme 'Awareness, Recognition, Valuation - Journey from Survival to Prosperity'.
In the speech of the chief guest, Dipu Moni said, awareness about autism should be spread. Children and individuals with autism can do many things. The government is always by their side and will be.
She said, we have to change our perspective about the disabled. In the overall development of the Prime Minister, it should be ensured that the autistic person does not lag behind. Awareness about autism should be spread. It should be ensured that they get the same rights and facilities as other citizens.
The minister also said that Prime Minister's daughter Saima Wazed is working tirelessly for the disabled in the country as well as internationally. With her efforts, autism awareness has increased in the whole world including Bangladesh.
Professor Dr. AFM Ruhul Haque MP was present as a special guest of the program. He saluted the efforts and activities of Saima Wazed on autism awareness and said that without Saima, people of Bangladesh would have less knowledge about autism. Saima's efforts have brought much success. Saima is guiding the Prime Minister with proper guidance on autism. Various government and private institutions including Neuro Developmental Impaired Protection Trust are working under the instructions of the Prime Minister. We have taken up 14 upazila based projects, it should be seen that the projects are managed properly. Autism awareness should be developed through collective efforts of all.
The function was presided over by the Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Mohammad Khairul Alam Sheikh. He said, the neglected, deprived and distressed and poor of the society should be in one place. Ministry of Social Welfare is working with all the poor people of the society. In 2011, an international conference on autism was held in Bangladesh. The government is working to give a better life to the disabled under the direction of the Prime Minister and the relentless efforts of Saima Wazed. Various laws and policies have been formulated for the disabled.
It was also addressed by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical Professor Dr. Pran Gopal Dutta and Managing Director of NDDP Mohammad Shah Alam and others.
At the end of the discussion, the blue lamp was lit in the ceremony to observe the World Autism Day and in the ceremony the autistic children and the organizations and individuals working on autism were awarded by the Minister of Social Welfare. In the second part of the program, children with autism presented an interesting cultural program.