Astha Protibondhi Nari Parishad (APNP)

Member of Bangladesh DPO Coalition (BDC)

Organizational Overview

Astha Protibondhi Nari Parishad (APNP) is a community-based Disabled Persons’ Organization (DPO) founded in 2009 and headquartered in Faridpur, Bangladesh. As a proud member of the Bangladesh DPO Coalition (BDC), APNP works in coordination with local DPOs and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) across the Dhaka division. The organization is committed to advancing the rights, empowerment, and inclusion of women with disabilities, while also addressing the needs of children, marginalized women, and socially excluded communities.

APNP implements development projects aligned with BDC’s mandate, focusing on disability rights, women’s empowerment, education, health, and socio-economic participation.

Legal Identity and Registration

• Established: 2009

• Registration No.: 2649/2009 (Voluntary Social Welfare Organization Ordinance, 1961)

• Registered Authority: Department of Women Affairs & Department of Social Services, Government of Bangladesh

• Head Office: Mach Coattorpur, Faridpur Sadar, Faridpur, Bangladesh

Founder Profile

Mini Akter, founder of APNP, is a woman with disability who has dedicated her life to promoting the rights of women, children, and persons with disabilities. Her personal experience gives her unique insight into the struggles faced by marginalized groups. She is a passionate advocate, actively engaging with local government, media, and grassroots communities to drive change.

Vision

A just and inclusive society where women, children, and persons with disabilities live with dignity, equal rights, and socio-economic opportunities.

Mission

To empower vulnerable women, children, and persons with disabilities through education, skill development, advocacy, and social protection services, enabling them to overcome poverty and discrimination.

Geographical Coverage

• Direct Operational District: Faridpur

• Project Implementation (in partnership with BDC):
  Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Munshiganj, Manikganj, Tangail, Kishoreganj, Faridpur, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Rajbari, Gopalganj

Core Programs & Activities

1. Disability Empowerment

• Advocacy on disability rights and social inclusion

• Livelihood training (tailoring, livestock, small businesses)

• Distribution of assistive devices (wheelchairs, crutches, hearing aids)

2. Women’s Empowerment

• Women’s self-help groups (SHGs) for savings and microcredit

• Entrepreneurship & handicraft training with market linkages

• Advocacy against child marriage, gender-based violence, and exploitation

3. Education & Child Protection

• Literacy & non-formal education for out-of-school children

• Health, nutrition, and hygiene awareness for families

• Safe spaces and protection initiatives for vulnerable children

4. Community Development

• Public health, climate change, and disaster preparedness awareness

• Collaboration with local government for social safety nets

• Youth skill training to reduce unemployment

Target Groups

• Persons with disabilities (PWDs)

• Marginalized women (widows, single mothers, survivors of violence)

• Children from disadvantaged backgrounds

• Rural poor and socially excluded communities

Key Achievements

• Organized 6 community-based disability inclusion campaigns

• Trained 250+ women in income-generating activities

• Reached 30,000 marginalized individuals with livelihood and awareness support

• Conducted 40 advocacy events with local government on disability & women’s rights

• Registered 20 women with disabilities into self-help groups for empowerment

Governance & Accountability

APNP is governed by an elected Executive Committee under an approved constitution and government regulations. The organization ensures transparency and accountability through annual reports, external financial audits, and donor reporting mechanisms.