Life Vibe - Social aspects are the elements of human life that relate to the interaction, communication, and participation of individuals and groups in society. Social aspects include culture, norms, values, beliefs, identity, diversity, inclusion, and empowerment. Developing social aspects is important for improving the well-being, quality of life, and human rights of people, especially those who are marginalized, discriminated, or excluded due to their disability, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or other factors.
However, developing social aspects is not an easy task. There are many challenges and barriers that hinder the progress and potential of people and communities in achieving social development. Some of these challenges and barriers are:
Sociocultural barriers
Sociocultural barriers are the negative attitudes, stereotypes, stigma, prejudice, and discrimination that people face from others in society because of their differences or perceived differences. These barriers can limit the access, participation, and inclusion of people in various domains of social life, such as education, health, employment, politics, and leisure. For example, women with disabilities may encounter sociocultural barriers when they seek health care services, such as erroneous assumptions, being ignored, being judged, violence, abuse, insult, impoliteness, and low health literacy. These barriers can affect their health outcomes, self-esteem, and dignity.
Financial barriers
Financial barriers are the lack of economic resources, opportunities, and security that people need to meet their basic needs and pursue their goals and aspirations. Financial barriers can result from poverty, unemployment, low income, high costs, and lack of insurance coverage. These barriers can prevent people from accessing and affording essential goods and services, such as food, water, shelter, health care, education, and transportation. For example, people with disabilities may face financial barriers when they try to access health care services, such as high transportation costs and lack of insurance coverage. These barriers can affect their health status, quality of life, and independence.
Structural barriers
Structural barriers are the lack of physical, technological, and institutional facilities, infrastructure, and systems that people need to function and participate in society. Structural barriers can result from inadequate design, planning, implementation, and maintenance of the built and natural environment, as well as the policies, laws, regulations, and practices that govern social institutions and organizations. These barriers can create obstacles and difficulties for people to access and use various spaces, places, and services, such as buildings, roads, public transport, equipment, information, communication, and decision-making. For example, people with disabilities may face structural barriers when they try to access health care services, such as inaccessible equipment and transportation facilities, lack of knowledge, lack of information, lack of transparency, and communicative problems. These barriers can affect their health care quality, satisfaction, and rights.
How to overcome these challenges and barriers
To overcome these challenges and barriers, there is a need for a holistic, multidimensional, and participatory approach that involves all stakeholders, such as individuals, families, communities, civil society, private sector, and government. Some of the strategies that can be adopted are:
- Promoting awareness, education, and advocacy on the issues and needs of people who face social challenges and barriers, and challenging the negative attitudes and stereotypes that exist in society.
- Providing financial support, incentives, and opportunities for people who face social challenges and barriers, and reducing the economic inequalities and insecurities that exist in society.
- Improving the accessibility, availability, and affordability of physical, technological, and institutional facilities, infrastructure, and systems for people who face social challenges and barriers, and ensuring the compliance and enforcement of the relevant standards and regulations.
- Enhancing the participation, inclusion, and empowerment of people who face social challenges and barriers, and ensuring their representation and voice in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.
By implementing these strategies, we can create a more socially sustainable and inclusive society, where everyone can enjoy their human rights and dignity, and contribute to the social development and well-being of themselves and others.
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Image by Kindel Media.
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