Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare  Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid spoke at a program organized at Osmani Memorial Auditorium today to mark the 18th World Autism Awareness Day-2025. Photo : PID

DHAKA, April 22, 2025 (BSS) - Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare 
Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid today called for ensuring a suitable environment 
for differently abled children and persons in the country.

Noting that children, adolescents, youth and adults with autism spectrum 
disorders are an integral part of the society, she said: "They need the right 
support, appropriate education, training and a respectful environment to 
develop their talents, creativity and abilities."

The adviser made the call at a programme organised by Neuro-Developmental 
Disability Protection Trust (NDDPT) under the Ministry of Social Welfare at 
the Osmani Memorial Auditorium here as the chief guest marking the 18th World 
Autism Awareness Day-2025.

One of the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals declared by the 
United Nations is "No one should be left behind", Murshid said.

To embrace this principle and include people with special needs in the 
mainstream of society, initiatives at all levels-- family, educational 
institutions, workplace, society and the state-- are essential, she added.

Secretary of Social Welfare Ministry Dr Md Mohiuddin presided over the 
function.

Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Momtaz Ahmed, 
Managing Director (MD) of the National Disability Development Foundation 
(NDDF) Bijoy Krishna Debnath and Director General of the Department of Social 
Services Md Saidur Rahman were present, among others, on the occasion.