Workshop seeks to eliminate gender barriers among disabled people

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, in conjunction with the German Agency for International Co-operation (GIZ), held a workshop in Hanoi on December 12 to share the result of a study on gender barriers in approaching services of people with disabilities.  

A class at a vocational training centre for people with disabilities in Binh Duong province (Credit: VNA)

The event aimed to improve awareness of policy-makers, service providers and non-governmental organisations of the barriers the disabled - the most vulnerable group - face when approaching social services.

The study shows that among people with disabilities, women often face more barriers than men. They also feel it is more difficult to integrate into the community, especially at school or at work.

Participants proposed several recommendations to improve the quality of vocational training for both male and female disabled people, including boosting communications to help them and their families understand the importance of taking part in vocational training courses, and building a list of jobs suitable to the group.

Authorised offices should also work to enhance the connection between vocational schools and businesses and organise mobile job markets in order to make it easier for disabled people to find jobs, they suggested.

The event was part of the social welfare support project in Vietnam funded by the German Ministry of Economic Co-operation and Development with the aim of improving the living conditions of poor households in target areas, and effectively put forth practical approach methods for national poverty reduction programmes.

(Source: nhandan.org.vn)