Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneWhen it comes to empowering this particular segment of society, we as a nation can most definitely do betterThe Covid-19 pandemic has affected most of our lives in ways that we could not have imagined. And it is no surprise that the ones affected most in the current climate have been the more vulnerable segments of society, and nowhere is this more evident in our nation than amongst people with disabilities. In several studies conducted which focused on the role of people with disabilities in agriculture and on the impacts of the pandemic on people with disabilities, it was found that, sadly and expectedly, 88% of farmers with disabilities had suffered income loss during the pandemic. It is also worth noting that 86% of people with physical disabilities in Bangladesh are directly involved in the agriculture sector, which deserves admiration, as does any disabled individual who has turned their weaknesses into strengths. The number of people, including those with physical disabilities, involved in the agriculture sector goes to show what a powerful sector it is for Bangladesh, with the potential to not only revolutionize the economy, but also to create a more inclusive society.

Source: Dhaka Tribune December 20, 2020 18:11 UTC