Page 23 - IJPS-11-4

International Journal of
Population Studies Violence against women in Vietnam

(MOLISA et al., 2020). Women are exposed to various and rightful resolutions through both formal and informal
forms of violence. Regarding physical or sexual violence legal systems. The same is true of individuals seeking
by a husband or partner, 26.1% of women who have been essential services, such as healthcare, law enforcement,
married or are in a relationship have experienced physical legal support, and social services. These challenges persist
violence, whereas 13.3% have experienced sexual violence. due to deeply ingrained gender stereotypes that permeate
Emotional violence by a husband or partner is the most traditional, historical, cultural, legislative, and service-
frequently reported form, with almost half of women oriented responses. For instance, women are frequently
(47.0%) encountering it at least once and nearly one-fifth urged to compromise on their ambitions for the benefit
(19.3%) in the past year (MOLISA et al., 2020). of their children, and domestic violence is often regarded
Despite Vietnam’s first National Program on Preventing as a private family matter, with the wife being expected
and Responding to GBV in 2010, the issue remains to protect her husband’s reputation. The notion of “xấu
prevalent. The 2019 study on VAW compared data from chàng hổ ai”(both are being shamed) or the traditional
2010 to 2019, revealing an increase in violence committed belief that a wife should bring pride to her husband, as
by husbands or partners from 10% to 13%. Incidents reflected in Vietnamese folklore, “A man gets rich by his
friend and gets pride from his wife,” discourages women
of physical violence by individuals other than partners from reporting such cases, perpetuating the acceptance
increased from 9.9% to 11.4%, whereas sexual violence of violence as commonplace (MOLISA et al., 2020). The
by others increased from 2.3% to 9.0%. Notably, sexual primary reason cited by women for not seeking assistance
violence against girls under 15 years increased from 2.8%
to 4.4% (MOLISA et al., 2020). was their belief that the violence they experienced was
either normal or not serious—a sentiment expressed by
Although Vietnam has implemented a 10-year program 48.4% of women who did not seek help. Conversely, most
dedicated to preventing and responding to GBV, the women who sought help did so only when they could no
situation is still a challenge. The following question arises: longer tolerate the violence (69.7%). In addition, nearly
Why is the number of cases of violence increasing? Gender one in five women (19.3%) left home at least once due to
discrimination and stereotypes are the root causes of a violent husband or partner. These women stayed away
VAW. More than one-third of women in Vietnam express for an average of 20 days and mostly sought refuge with
traditional beliefs that favor men as household decision- their relatives. Reasons for returning included not wanting
makers. Over half of the female respondents of the 2019 to leave children behind (50.4%), being asked to return by
study on VAW (51.8%) believed that a man is justified in their partner (26.0%), and forgiving their partner (25.5%)
physically harming his wife for reasons such as infidelity (MOLISA et al., 2020).
(45.2%) or neglecting childcare duties (27.0%). Such During the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic violence
beliefs are more prevalent in rural areas and among less worsened due to social distancing policies. Working
educated women. Women who have experienced violence from home also imposes a greater burden of housework
are also likely to excuse their husbands or partners for on women. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced
violent behavior. Among those who have experienced various challenges into people’s daily lives, but its impact
physical violence, the most common triggers were “family has been particularly severe on women, both in their
problems” (50.8%) and “alcohol use” (40.9%), followed by professional and domestic roles. As highlighted in a UN
“financial issues” (18.8%) (MOLISA et al., 2020). The belief Women (2020) report during the early months of the
that women should fulfill their marital duties without the pandemic, women were significantly affected due to their
right to refuse their husband’s sexual advances persists, higher representation in insecure jobs, including in the
with 27% of women still adhering to the notion that a good informal sector, where they receive inadequate benefits
wife should comply with her husband’s wishes even if she and protection. Throughout the pandemic, women, girls,
disagrees with him (MOLISA et al., 2020). Consequently, and vulnerable populations have faced an elevated risk
Vietnam still does not have reports on rape cases committed of GBV due to their limited influence and involvement
by husbands, and 90% of women who experienced sexual in household decision-making. This vulnerability was
violence did not report it or seek help from the system. exacerbated by changes in social safety nets, mobility
Many reasons prevent women from seeking protection restrictions, and reduced access to information and
because violence is considered a private issue and women services. The COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam disrupted
want to protect the reputation of their families, or the the supply of contraceptives and essential medical
burden of proof or infeasible sanctions (Phan, 2022). resources to women, mirroring disruptions in the supply
Women who have experienced violence encounter of various goods and services globally (World Bank,
substantial obstacles when attempting to pursue equitable 2023). As a result, the challenge of VAW persists in

Volume 11 Issue 4 (2025) 17 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.1758