Preventing and responding to violence against women: A case study from Vietnam

Abstract

Violence against women (VAW) has significant detrimental effects on the daily lives of women and the overall development of society. Addressing VAW poses a considerable challenge for nations striving to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs). Vietnamese society, deeply influenced by Confucianism and Buddhism, continues to perpetuate male preferences. The persistence of gender stereotypes and discrimination shaped by societal norms serves as an underlying cause of VAW in Vietnam. Despite the Vietnamese government's efforts since 2010 to implement prevention and response programs for gender-based violence, the alarming reality is that nearly 63% of women report experiencing at least one form of violence in their lives. However, various obstacles prevent many of these women from seeking legal protection. These obstacles include inadequate support services, burdensome proof requirements, and fear of re-victimization. Thus, the crucial question of how to effectively eliminate VAW in Vietnam remains a major concern, influencing the nation's progress toward achieving the SDGs and upholding its commitment as a member country of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. This paper analyzes the obstacles Vietnam faces in its efforts to prevent and respond to VAW, aiming to safeguard women's rights and advance gender equality.

Keywords

Gender-based violence / Violence against women / Prevention / Response / Legal protection / Essential support services / Vietnam

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Hanoi Law University. This paper would not have been possible without the valuable comments and inputs of the reviewers. I would also like to thank everyone who provided indispensable sources of information that contributed to the completion of this paper. Finally, I express my sincerest thanks to the Editor Board of the International Journal of Population Studies for their support in making this publication possible.

Funding

None.

Conflict of interest

The author declares that they have no competing interests.

Author contributions

This is a single-authored paper.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Availability of data

Not applicable.

References

[1] Asian Development Bank (ADB). (2005). Vietnam Gender Situation Analysis. Available from: https://www.adb.org/ sites/default/files/institutional-document/32246/cga-vietnam.pdf [2024 Jan 05].

[2] General Statistic Office. (2021). Gender Equality in Labor and Assess to Management Work in Vietnam. Available from: https://www.gso.gov.vn/en/data-and-statistics/2021/12/ gender-equality-in-labor-and-access-to-management-work-in-viet-nam [2023 Dec 20].

[3] General Statistics Office. (2018). Report on Labor Force Survey in Quarter 1. New Delhi: General Statistics Office.

[4] Huong P.T.L., & Ly V.P. (2021). Eliminating violence against women towards gender equality in Vietnam. Science and Technology Development Journal: Economics-Law and Management, 5(SI2):66-74. https://doi.org/10.32508/stdjelm.v5iSI2.1084

[5] Institute for Social Development Studies. (2015). Social Determinants of Gender Inequality in Vietnam. Available from: https://vietnam.embassy.gov.au/files/hnoi/isds_ report_binh%20dang%20gioi_en_pdf-2.pdf [2023 Dec 20].

[6] MOLISA GSO, & UNFPA. (2020). Results of the National Study on Violence against Women in Viet Nam 2019 - Journey for Change. Available from: https://vietnam.unfpa.org/sites/ default/files/pubpdf/0.vaw_study_main_report_final_13 aug_2020.pdf [2024 Feb 19].

[7] Nguyen M.L., Le T.H.G., Ngo T.T.H., Tran H.L., & Mundkur A. (2020). Investing Gendered Social Norms Affecting Women's Economic Participation Related to Recruitment and Promotion in Vietnam. Vietnam: Investing in Women and CARE International in Vietnam. Available from: https:// www.care.org.vn/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/investing-in-women-2020-final.pdf [2024 Jan 05].

[8] Phan T.L.H. (2022). Promoting access to justice for victims of sexual violence in Vietnam. Journal of Human Rights Practice, 15(1):232-243. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhuman/huac052

[9] Skinnider E., Montgomery R., & Garrett S. (2017). The Trial of Rape:Understanding the Criminal Justice System Response to Sexual Violence in Thailand and Viet Nam. New York: UN Women UNDP and UNOD, p. 45. Available from: https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/field office%20eseasia/docs/publications/2019/08/ap-trialofrape_26aug2019_lowres compressed.pdf [2023 Nov 15].

[10] Tan H.Y. (2017). Women Raped in Vietnam and Thailand Face Big Hurdles in Getting Justice: UN Study. The Straits Times. Available from: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/ women-raped-in-vietnam-and-thailand-face-big-hurdles-in-getting-justice-un-study [2023 Aug 21].

[11] UN Women ADB, & ILO. (2021). Country Gender Equality Profile - Viet Nam. New York: UN Women.

[12] UN Women. (2017). Access to Criminal Justice by Women Subjected to Violence in Viet Nam:Women's Justice Perception Study. New York: UN Women.

[13] UN Women. (2020). The First 100 Days of Covid -19 in Asian and Pacific:A Gender Len. Available from: https://asiapacific. unwomen.org/sites/default/files/field office eseasia/ docs/publications/2020/04/ap_first_100-days_covid-19-r02.pdf [2023 Oct 05].

[14] UNDP. (2018). Men and Boys Are Important Partners in the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls. Available from: https://vietnam.un.org/en/4150-men-and-boys-are-important-partners-prevention-violence-against-women-and-girls [Last accessed on

[15] 2023 Oct 20.

[16] World Bank. (2023). Country Case Study: Vietnam. https://thedocs. worldbank.org/en/doc/8ca3f9bfda06e5c061ef3affd92fb551-0070012023/original/vietnam-case-study.pdf [2024 Oct 05].