Da Nang: Seminar to prevent discrimination against children with disabilities

Discrimination is a serious problem that children with disabilities face in society. Children with disabilities are often discriminated against in areas such as education, employment, public transport and other public services. This causes negative impacts on children's development and integration. Therefore, the seminar is an opportunity to consult with social organisations, parents' networks and state agencies on the issue of violence and discrimination against children with disabilities in families, schools, and cyberspace. The results and recommendations of the Seminar are expected to be useful information for reports related to children with disabilities, especially the Report under the Conclusions of the United Nations Commission on the Rights of the Child that recommends implementation. currently under the CRC chaired by the Department of Children - Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

The program has the participation of Dr., Doctor Vu Thi Kim Hoa, Deputy Director of Department of Child Affairs - Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs; Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Hoa - National Center for Special Education; Mr. Dang Van Thanh, Standing Vice President, Vietnam Federation of People with Disabilities (VFD); Ms. Dam Viet Ha, Deputy Director, ACDC; Mr. Truong Cong Nghiem; Chairman of Da Nang City Organization of Persons with Disabilities; Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong - Deputy Director of the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of Da Nang City; Mr. Ngo Ngoc Hoang Vuong - Deputy Director of Danang Department of Education and Training; Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai - Deputy Director of Da Nang Social Work Center; representatives from specialized schools, inclusive schools for children with disabilities, non-governmental organizations, social organizations, independent experts working in the field of children, direct member units belonging to the City Organisation of People with Disabilities, parents of children with disabilities…

The seminar was attended by Dr Vu Thi Kim Hoa, Deputy Director General of the Department of Child Affairs - Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs; Dr Nguyen Thi Kim Hoa - National Center for Special Education; Mr Dang Van Thanh, Permanent Vice Chairman, Vietnam Federation on Disability (VFD); Ms Dam Viet Ha, Deputy Director, ACDC; Mr Truong Cong Nghiem; Chairman of the Da Nang City Organization of Persons with Disabilities Ms Nguyen Thi Thu Huong - Deputy Director of the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of Da Nang City; Mr Ngo Ngoc Hoang Vuong - Deputy Director of Danang Department of Education and Training; Ms Nguyen Thi Mai - Deputy Director of Da Nang Social Work Center and representatives of departments, agencies, educational institutions, media agencies in Da Nang, etc.

"Through today's seminar, we hope that this will be an opportunity for stakeholders to exchange, share, and find out the best guidance and resolutions to support children with disabilities better so that children are protected, equal, and integrated into the community," said Ms Dam Viet Ha, Deputy Director of ACDC, in her opening remarks. She concluded that the state had made significant steps to ensure that children with disabilities have a safe and normal life and that policies to prevent violence and discrimination against them were complete. Nonetheless, there are still some obstacles and hurdles when putting it into effect that call for the support and assistance of pertinent parties.

One of the proposals that received approval from the representatives is the proposal to study, amend, and supplement the 2010 Law on Persons with Disabilities. The proposal aims to: Affirm clear viewpoints and special solutions for preventing violence against children with disabilities; Research, review, supplement and improve the legal system and policies to support children with disabilities access to community protection, care, and education services; Pay special attention to integrating specific solutions to prevent violence against children with disabilities in the implementation of the Code of Conduct for preventing violence against children on the internet, within the scope of responsibility of each agency and organization (embedded in the regulations/code of conduct... of the agency/organization).; Research, review, and supplement some statistical information on violence against children with disabilities in statistical indicators on the situation of violence against children, and domestic violence in some legal documents on statistics today; Enhance propaganda activities, improve awareness, training knowledge, and skills in preventing violence against children for children, parents, teachers, support staff for inclusive education, grassroots officials, and the community. Furthermore, there are many other practical proposals arising from local needs. These are the passionate proposals of the agencies to minimize the situation of violence against children with disabilities, to enable them to live in a safer and more civilized society.

Psychologist and MC, Le Huong Giang, also shared her thoughts on the role of media in disseminating information about children with disabilities: "Currently, there is still a lack of information about children with disabilities, and there is not much information about their lives and conditions of children with disabilities. Media coverage of violence and discrimination against children with disabilities is still limited. In addition, I hope that the message about persons with disabilities can be expressed consistently across all media platforms. We need to limit the negative and pitiful images of persons with disabilities and promote positive, happy images of their lives."

In the coming time, all parties involved will continue to maintain, coordinate and propose appropriate solutions to contribute to the implementation of policies that support children with disabilities.