Turning policies for disabled women into action

Women with disabilities are a vulnerable group that frequently encounters obstacles in education, employment, access to services, and participation in social activities. Therefore, the effective implementation of support policies not only contributes to guaranteeing the legal rights and interests of women with disabilities but also establishes the necessary conditions for them to confidently integrate into the community and enhance their quality of life.

The supervisory delegation of the City Women's Union reviews administrative procedures related to people with disabilities posted at the Ho Nai ward Public Administrative Service Center. Photo: Nga Son

The Dong Nai City Women's Union recently supervised the implementation of policies for women with disabilities in several localities. Through this process, it made timely recommendations to help localities effectively implement policies for women with disabilities, helping protect their rights and interests.

Ensuring full implementation of policies for women with disabilities

As of April 30, 2026, Ho Nai ward had 1,064 people with disabilities, approximately 47% of whom were women. Nguyen Quang Tuyen, Deputy Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Division of Ho Nai ward, said that the ward People's Committee has prioritized implementing policies and laws related to women with disabilities. In addition to issuing documents to implement policies for people with disabilities in general and women with disabilities in particular, the ward People's Committee has focused on raising awareness among all levels, sectors, and the community about social welfare policies for women with disabilities through neighborhoods, broadcasting systems, and social media platforms. The ward People's Committee also publicly posts administrative procedures related to determining disability levels at the ward Public Administrative Service Center, helping women with disabilities and their families understand and promptly prepare application dossiers for benefits in accordance with regulations.

The receipt, review, and management of beneficiary dossiers, along with the monitoring, updating, adjusting, and reclassifying of beneficiaries, are carried out in accordance with established procedures and regulations. Monthly social allowances and holiday gifts for people with disabilities, including women, are provided in a timely manner. In addition, the ward People's Committee connects and supports women with disabilities in early detection, intervention, orthopedic surgery, and the provision of assistive devices; supports access to education for children with disabilities; and coordinates with relevant units to provide livelihood support for some women with disabilities, helping them improve their lives.

In Phuoc Long ward, as of April 30, 2026, there were 339 people with disabilities receiving monthly social allowances, including 137 women. In addition to paying monthly social allowances and providing gifts during holidays, the ward People's Committee coordinates the organization of medical examinations, rehabilitation support, and home care for 69 women with disabilities. School-age children with disabilities are supported in their education and integration. Some people with disabilities receive vocational training support, job referrals, legal assistance, and opportunities to participate in cultural, artistic, and sports activities. Alongside implementing policies as prescribed, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the ward and socio-political organizations in the area, including the ward Women's Union, have proactively mobilized resources and established connections to provide care and capital support for women with disabilities.

However, despite the results achieved, the management, monitoring, and implementation of policies for people with disabilities in general and women with disabilities in particular still face limitations and difficulties. According to representatives of the People's Committees of Ho Nai and Phuoc Long wards, following the merger, the area has become larger and the number of people with disabilities has increased, while officials responsible for disability affairs also oversee many other areas. In terms of professional work, some regulations are difficult to implement in practice, and the toolkit used to determine the type and level of disability contains impractical elements, making the implementation of policies for people with disabilities in general and women with disabilities in particular more challenging.

Need for community engagement

Bui Thi Hanh, Vice Chairwoman of the City Women's Union and Head of the City Women's Affairs Committee, said that monitoring policy implementation for women with disabilities in several localities has shown that policies for this group have been prioritized by local authorities, contributing to ensuring social welfare, promoting gender equality, improving quality of life, and creating conditions for women with disabilities to overcome difficulties and integrate into the community. The monitoring process also identified difficulties and limitations in policy implementation. Based on these findings, the supervisory delegation made additional recommendations to localities to better implement policies for women with disabilities in the coming period.

These recommendations include strengthening communication and dissemination of the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws related to people with disabilities, especially policies concerning women with disabilities, through various forms to ensure that all target groups can access full information promptly.

In addition to reviewing and updating data on women with disabilities to support advisory work, localities need to strengthen coordination among sectors, unions, and relevant units in implementing policies for women with disabilities, while promoting the role of the grassroots political system in caring for, supporting, and protecting the lawful rights and interests of women with disabilities. Localities should also proactively coordinate with businesses and vocational training institutions in the area to support women with disabilities in vocational training and finding suitable employment, helping them increase their income and improve their lives. Attention should also be given to investing in and improving accessibility conditions for people with disabilities in the areas of transportation, public administration, information technology, and public facilities, thereby creating favorable conditions for people with disabilities to participate in social activities, pursue education, and access services.

Nguyen Quang Tuyen, Deputy Head of the ward Culture and Social Affairs Division, said that based on the suggestions from their monitoring activities, the Ho Nai ward Culture and Social Affairs Division will keep studying and advising the ward People's Committee on improving communication and healthcare services for women with disabilities; finding ways to protect their rights and interests; and focusing more on their mental health, so they can join in and take part in social activities. However, according to Tuyen, in addition to prescribed policies, improving the living conditions of people with disabilities in general and women with disabilities in particular requires the cooperation of the entire community in accompanying and supporting them in their comprehensive development.

The supervisory delegation of the City Women's Union specifically noted that localities should strengthen the detection, prevention, and support of women with disabilities who are at risk of violence and abuse, while providing timely intervention and support to ensure their rights.

By Nga Son – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha