The World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) is being observed globally today by organizing a variety of awareness related programmes. 

This Day has been observed on April 2 every year since 2007 at the call of the United Nations. 

The Day is marked in order to promote the full realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for autistic individuals, ensuring their equal participation in the society. 

UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, said the Day would be useful to achieve sustainable development goals and to fulfill health related commitments. 

In a message on this Day, Guterres stressed the need of providing health, education and employment opportunities to autistic individuals.