Disability rights activists say Khaleda Zia’s tenure marked an important shift in how persons with disabilities were recognized by the state—gradually moving away from a charity-based outlook toward institutional responsibility and inclusion. Launched under her leadership, the program—formally known as the Allowance Program for Insolvent Persons with Disabilities—initially provided Tk200 per month to beneficiaries, laying the foundation for Bangladesh’s disability-focused social protection system. Beyond social protection, Khaleda Zia’s governments also took early steps to expand access to education, skills development, and employment for persons with disabilities, at a time when disability inclusion remained largely absent from mainstream policy discussions. Advocate Zahirul Islam, a visually impaired disability rights activist, said Khaleda Zia initiated several measures that helped strengthen institutional support for persons with disabilities. As discussions continue around Begum Khaleda Zia’s broader political legacy, disability rights advocates agree that her role in initiating state responsibility toward persons with disabilities remains one of her most enduring contributions to Bangladesh’s social development.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 01, 2026 11:40 UTC