Barriers for Women with Disabilities to Start up – Some Policy Recommendations

Main Article Content

Dr. Phan Thi Luyen

Abstract

According to statistics, there are about 8 million people with disabilities in Vietnam today, of which women account for 56% and 60% are of working age. In recent years, policies to support people with disabilities have been developed significantly. Therefore, many people with disabilities confidently and boldly start a business, or set up production, business and service establishments on their own, which not only takes care of their families’ lives but also generates jobs and income for the community. By 2022, the whole country has nearly 700 production facilities by wounded, sick soldiers and disabled people, creating jobs for over 40,000 workers, ensuring an average income of 5-7 million VND/person/month[1]. In addition, many people with disabilities develop a household economy that brings high economic efficiency, contributing to the local budget. According to the General Statistics Office, establishments that are members of the Business Association of War Invalids and Disabled Persons contribute to the state budget of over 500 billion VND annually. However, the number of production and business establishments by women with disabilities is small. According to statistics from the Vietnam Association of People with Disabilities in 2020, women with disabilities make up 3-5% of the total number of people with disabilities participating in the wave of start-ups[2]. People with disabilities in general and women with disabilities in particular face many difficulties and barriers to starting their own businesses, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The obstacles stem from themselves and their families, such as low self-esteem, lack of knowledge and experience, and limitations in using public works, services, and educational services. The barrier from society is that the COVID-19 crisis has entailed a gap in the unemployment rate to the detriment of women. The unemployment rate has increased because businesses have to partially or completely rescind operations. The barriers from stigma, discrimination in recruitment, difficulties in accessing financial services, accessing skills training courses, equipping knowledge, improving professional qualifications, etc. .. So, when the COVID-19 epidemic is gradually controlled and society stabilizes under normal conditions, what solutions are needed from the disabled woman herself, from the state and the community to support women with disabilities to start their own businesses to enhance their economic power and affirm the capacity and position of Vietnamese women.


 

Article Details

How to Cite
Luyen, D. P. T. . (2022). Barriers for Women with Disabilities to Start up – Some Policy Recommendations. BiLD Law Journal, 7(2s), 247–254. Retrieved from https://bildbd.com/index.php/blj/article/view/302
Section
Articles