Bangladesh Grapples with Severe Disability Neglect and Child Exploitation Amidst Policy-Implementation Gaps

A recent social media post by Dr. Jen Izaakson has brought to light harrowing accounts of extreme neglect faced by a disabled woman in rural Bangladesh and the potential exploitation of a six-year-old girl, underscoring significant challenges in the country's social welfare and child protection systems. The tweet, which has garnered considerable attention, details a failed attempt to provide schooling for the young girl, raising questions about the efficacy of existing support structures.

The account describes a disabled woman in a Bangladeshi village who reportedly crawled on the floor for three decades without assistance. "No one, not a neighbour, not a friend, not a family member, not a local politician, not a local villager, not a charity worker, not the local mosque, had ever bothered to help her," Dr. Izaakson stated in the tweet. This narrative highlights a stark reality despite Bangladesh enacting the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disability Act in 2013, which aims to provide support and rights to individuals with disabilities. However, reports indicate significant gaps between policy formulation and practical implementation, especially in rural areas where stigma and limited resources persist.

Further revelations from the post include the story of a domestic worker in Bangladesh, allegedly a victim of modern slavery, who was burned with an iron by her employer. More disturbingly, the tweet recounted the worker and her aunt discussing prostituting her six-year-old daughter due to extreme poverty. Child labor and exploitation remain critical issues in Bangladesh, often driven by poverty and a lack of access to education. While the government has policies against child labor and trafficking, enforcement and reach into vulnerable communities are often insufficient.

An attempt by Dr. Izaakson to sponsor the child's education for £120 per term, described as a "schooling system in Bangladesh called ‘hostels’," ultimately failed. The individual entrusted with arranging the schooling reportedly went on holiday, and upon their return, the mother and child had left. The cost of private schooling in Bangladesh can vary widely, but a sum of £120 per term (approximately 17,000 BDT) would be a significant contribution towards a child's education, potentially covering tuition and boarding at some institutions. This incident underscores the complexities and potential pitfalls in delivering aid and support in regions with systemic vulnerabilities.

The tweet concludes with a broader commentary on the non-universality of moral norms, particularly regarding the protection of children and the disabled, suggesting that "many other societies are not like ours." This perspective frames the individual stories within a larger discussion about societal values and the impact of cultural contexts on social welfare.