2.7 Rights of Marginalized Communities NHRCB appreciates government initiatives to mainstream the marginalized communities including persons with disabilities, hijra, dalit and others communities to the society.Government’s aim to widen the social safety net further to include more of the marginalised and vulnerable population under protection is welcomed. 9 However, attitude of many people of our country to the marginalized community is yet to be changed. Marginalised people are more vulnerable to violence. Mention may be made to post election violence against religious minority people in Faridpur on 01 January 2019. NHRC formed fact finding committee on this and sent report to concerned authority for necessary action. NHRC believes that it is high time to make people aware of the rights of marginalized people and prevent violence against them. Commission lauds that government has given recognition to the hijras’as"hijra gender" category on Bangladesh's national voters list. Previously, the hijra community could only sign up to vote as men or women. Now, individuals can register to vote using their own identity as a hijra.10 Sadia Akter Pinky, a transgender was elected as vice chair of the Kotchandpur Upazila Parishad in Jhenaidah.11 2.8 Rights of Persons with Disabilities NHRC believes that no development will be sustained without ensuring rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs). NHRC acknowledges Hon’ble Prime Minister’s declaration on the occasion of World Autism Day 2019 to give disability allowance to every PWDs in 2019. This year, we also witnessed Social Welfare Ministry’s circular on PWDs for getting job with ID card given by the ministry. 12 The PWDs are still facing lots of challengesdespite government’s good will and initiatives to ensure rights of PWDs. The roads, public transports, infrastructures are not accessible for them. Besides people’s mindset are yet to be changed. NHRC has decided to advocate for accessible Dhaka for PWDs in Mujib Year 2020. With this aim, NHRC signed MoU with BRAC in 2019 to work collaboratively for making public transport and footpath accessible for PWDs. For ensuring the rights of Persons with Disability, the National Policy on Disability, 2019 has also been enacted as per recommendations of The National Human Rights Commission. However, accessibility in public transport, roads, public places and websites is yet to be ensured for persons with disabilities. 9Govt plans to widen social safety net, 13 June 2019, https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh-national-budget-2019-20/news/govt-plans-widen-social-safety-net-1756513 10Transgender community in Bangladesh finally granted full voting rights, The Telegraph, 29 April 2019, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/climate-and-people/transgender-community-bangladesh-finally-granted-full-voting/ 11Transgender woman becomes vice-chairman in Jhenaidah, bdnews24.com, 15 October 2019, https://bdnews24.com/people/2019/10/15/transgender-woman-becomes-vice-chairman-in-jhenaidah 12https://www.jagonews24.com/national/news/518581 19