During a ceremony commemorating Rokeya Day on Thursday, Hasina asked for Saima, who is recognized for her efforts in addressing global child autism. Saima, born in 1973 in Dhaka and the granddaughter of Bangabandhu, serves on the National Advisory Committee for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders and is a member of the World Health Organization’s global Expert Advisory Panel on Mental Health. Hasina noted that in the past, parents used to hide their autistic or disabled children from the public, leading to harassment of mothers and even divorce cases over giving birth to such children. Saima Wazed has made a significant impact by empowering parents to openly discuss their autistic or disabled children, rather than hide them. She is a licensed school psychologist in the US and has been recognized for her work in autism and children's neurological disorders since 2008. In 2014, she was honored with the 'Excellence in Public Health' award from the WHO for her contributions in 11 Southeast Asian countries. She also received the 'International Champion Award' in 2017 from a New York-based school for children with autism. Saima, the daughter of nuclear scientist MA Wazed Miah, has also served as a thematic ambassador for the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF). Saima completed her psychology honours degree in 1997 and master's in clinical psychology in 2002 at Barry University in the US. She later obtained a specialist degree in school psychology. While at the university, she conducted a study on the development of Bangladeshi women, which was recognized as the best scientific presentation by the Florida Academy of Science. Saima's accomplishments also include organizing the first international conference on autism in Dhaka in 2011. She was named one of the 100 Innovative Women Leaders in Global Mental Health by the Global Mental Health Programs Consortium in 2019. Saima was instrumental in developing the Neurodevelopment Disability Trust Act 2013 for the country. Additionally, she holds the position of chairperson at the Shuchona Foundation, focusing on mental health concerns. She is also a trustee and vice-chairperson at the Centre for Research and Information (CRI), affiliated with the Awami League.