BRAC Bank organises ‘EmpowerAbility 2025’ seminar

BRAC Bank, in collaboration with the Bangladesh Business and Disability Network (BBDN), organised a seminar titled "EmpowerAbility 2025: Powering Every Ability" to accelerate Bangladesh's transition toward disability-inclusive growth.

Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain, adviser to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, attended the conference as the chief guest at Le Méridien Dhaka recently. He said, "Inclusion is a matter of justice. By eliminating structural and social barriers, we ensure accessibility. However, to achieve true inclusion, we must empower every citizen to contribute fully. Together, we can build a nation that recognises and values every individual's ability."

The conference brought together policymakers, corporate leaders, and development partners to translate dialogue into action through policy partnerships, corporate commitments, and inclusive employment practices, according to a press release.

Supported by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the event underscored the strength of cross-sector collaboration in creating equitable opportunities for all.

More than 50 organisations participated, including BRAC, Shin Shin Group, Team Group, ACI Logistics, Brand Forum, Bata, Sajida Foundation, Grameenphone, Akij Group, Mutual Trust Bank, Prime Bank, Eastern Bank, UNDP, and Save the Children—representing a cross-section of Bangladesh's corporate and development ecosystem committed to inclusion.

Speaking at the event, Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, managing director and CEO of BRAC Bank PLC, said, "Inclusion is one of BRAC Bank's prime pillars, and it is not limited to financial inclusion only; it encompasses gender inclusion, disability inclusion, and broader social inclusion."

Md Sanwar Jahan Bhuiyan, secretary to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, reaffirmed the government's commitment: "The government is dedicated to promoting disability inclusion across all sectors through policy support, institutional collaboration, and enforcement."

Ardashir Kabir, chairman of the BBDN Board of Trustees; Jürgen Menze, disability inclusion specialist of ILO's Global Business and Disability Network; and Juergen Schilling, country director of GIZ Bangladesh, along with representatives from the ILO, GIZ, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and private-sector leaders, were also present.