New Delhi: World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is observed annually on March 21. It is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.


The 21st day of the third month of the Gregorian Calendar, March, was selected as the date for World Down Syndrome Day to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st human chromosome, which causes Down syndrome.


Chromosomes are small packages of genes in the body, which determine how a baby’s body forms and functions as it grows during pregnancy and after birth. A baby is typically born with 46 chromosomes.


What Is Down Syndrome?


Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Babies with Down syndrome have an extra copy of the 21st chromosome. In medical terms, this is termed as ‘trisomy’. Therefore, Down syndrome is also referred to as Trisomy 21. This extra copy of the chromosome changes how the baby’s body and brain develops. This can cause both mental and physical challenges for the baby.


Down syndrome remains the most common chromosomal condition diagnosed in the United States. Each year, about 6,000 babies born in the United States have Down syndrome. This means that Down syndrome occurs in about 1 in every 700 babies


World Down Syndrome Day: History


Down Syndrome Association Singapore launched and hosted the World Down Syndrome Day website from 2006 to 2010, on behalf of Down Syndrome International (DSi), for global activities to be recorded. Down Syndrome International is an international disabled people's organisation, committed to improving quality of life for people with Down syndrome, promoting their right to be included on a full and equal basis with others.


According to the official website for World Down Syndrome Day, the Brazilian Federation of Associations of Down Syndrome worked with Down Syndrome International and its members to launch an extensive campaign to generate international support.


The resolution was adopted by consensus during the plenary meeting of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly on November 10, 2011, following the joint work of Brazil and Poland.


As many as 78 United Nations Member States co-sponsored the resolution. 


Down Syndrome International launched an international petition for the adoption of World Down Syndrome Day by the UN. The petition received more than 12,000 signatures in a two-week period and was presented to the Chair of the Third Committee.


On December 19, 2011, the UN General Assembly declared March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day.


The UN General Assembly decided that World Down Syndrome Day will be observed every year on March 21, with effect from 2012. 


World Down Syndrome Day: Significance


World Down Syndrome Day is observed every year to raise public awareness about Down syndrome. On World Down Syndrome Daym people with Down syndrome and those who live and work with them throughout the world organise and participate in activities and events to raise public awareness and create a single global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome, according to the official website of Down Syndrome International. 


The day was created to celebrate the lives of people with Down syndrome, and to make sure they have the same freedom and opportunities as everyone else. Every year, on March 21, Down Syndrome International calls everyone to action with a theme to ensure the human rights of people with Down syndrome. The organisation also holds events at the largest UN offices in New York, United States, and Geneva, Switzerland. 


Every year, more and more people take action on this day. These include people with Down syndrome, their families, friends, and supporters, schools, companies and civil society groups, and governments and communities. 


World Down Syndrome Day 2022: Theme


This year, the theme for World Down Syndrome Day is “Inclusion Means”. The United Nations in the general principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) calls for “full and effective participation and inclusion in society”. 


However, the reality around the world is that people with Down syndrome and disabilities do not benefit from full and effective participation and inclusion in society.


There are many reasons behind this, one of them being a lack of agreed understanding about what inclusion is and what inclusive systems look like in practice.


World Syndrome International states on its website that people around the world need to share their collective understanding of inclusion.


The website states: “March 21 is the ideal opportunity to share, with the world watching!”. 


On March 21, 2022, people around the world have the chance to share ideas, experiences, knowledge and really important messages. 


They can empower each other to advocate for inclusion for people with Down syndrome


Also, people can reach out to and engage with key stakeholders to bring about positive change.