BPKS currently has 4586 members who are women with disabilities.

Women with disabilities are particularly marginalized and disadvantaged in Bangladesh. In a male-dominated society underpinned by religious traditions, WWDs are acknowledged to be doubly disadvantaged. Social norms and cultural restrictions often confine women to the family home - a disability often heightens this isolation and the restrictions imposed by the family. Women with disabilities can be subjected to mental, physical and sexual abuse by family and community members. They do not know where and how to seek justice for or protection from such abuse. If noticed, such abuses are usually ignored or suppressed by the family. Many WWDs come to accept this neglect and abuse as normal and endure it in silence.

WWDs usually do not receive treatment and care for their impairments, disabilities or diseases. They are seriously discouraged from getting married and having their own family. Often they are confined to a corner of a room. Sometimes, they die with little or no access to food, treatment and care.

Respect and status for Salma Akter
When she was 10, Salma Akter contracted polio. The disease paralyzed her left arm from the elbow down.
Salma was isolated from her community due to her disability and spent many days sitting alone in her room. Despite going to school regularly, she did not make friends and did not join in activities after class.
When she was older, Salma's beauty caught the eye of a prominent community member of a nearby village. His interest led to their marriage. However, the marriage was short-lived. Salma’s husband began to mistreat her. When she gave birth to a daughter her husband left her, outraged that the child was not a boy. He then said he was unable to accept her disability. Salma sought shelter with her widowed mother and family, where again she spent many hours alone in her room. Salma felt as though she had no future as she had both a disability and was divorced with a new baby.
When BPKS commenced PSID activities in the village where Salma lived, Salma's mother told the PSID facilitator that her daughter was always crying because she felt so trapped and helpless. After a long conversation between the facilitator and Salma about disability and the opportunities open to her through PSID, Salma agreed to attend a local GDPOD meeting.
Salma not only became a member of Manikganj DPOD, but after a short time was elected President of her Grassroots Disabled Peoples' Organization to Development (GDPOD). She sat on the district level General Council of Manikganj DPOD and was also elected as Vice Chairperson of the BPKS National Executive Council. She also participated in training on leadership, skills development and empowerment. She subsequently found employment with a local NGO and entered local politics where she was elected to Manikganj Union Council as vice chairperson. She has an untiring commitment to the equal rights and opportunities for all people with disabilities.
PSID provided Salma with support and opportunities. She has worked hard, contributed greatly to her community and now lives in her community with respect and status.