Page 27 - IJPS-11-4

International Journal of
Population Studies Violence against women in Vietnam

such as physical or mental violence. Discriminatory social effectiveness of the collective efforts stemming from the
and cultural values, patterns, and practices contribute to Program. Many obstacles threaten the success of these
the vulnerability of women and girls to sexual violence efforts to prevent and respond to VAW.
(Tan, 2017).
3.1. Difficulty in changing attitudes and behaviors
2.3. Implementation of the national program on VAW is a product of gender-based discrimination and
preventing and responding to VAW is deeply ingrained in the historical disparities between
The Vietnamese government has been actively working men and women. According to a 2014 UN report, GBV is
to advance gender equality through a multifaceted shaped by prevailing gender norms and attitudes, including
approach, which includes establishing a comprehensive expectations related to masculinity and femininity, as
legal framework and developing national strategies well as societal preferences for sons, all of which create a
and programs. One of the key objectives outlined in the structural environment conducive to such violence (UN,
National Strategy on Gender Equality from 2021 to 2030, 2014). Gender norms continue to serve as an underlying
as specified in Resolution No. 28/NQ-CP dated March reason for persistent VAW, particularly in rural and remote
3, 2021, focuses on improving family dynamics and regions. The conventional family structure in Vietnam,
addressing gender-based abuse. This objective includes the which has been shaped by Confucianism, continues to
following targets: marginalize the role of women in both the community and
(1) Reduce the average working hours of women in society. For example, in elections for the National Assembly
unpaid housewife and caregiving roles to 1.7 times and People’s Council, both male and female voters tend to
that of men by 2025 and further reduce it to 1.4 times show a preference for male candidates. Female candidates
by 2030. also face greater bias, particularly when competing for
(2) Increase the percentage of gender-based domestic executive roles, which, compared to legislative roles, are
violence victims who are identified and have access the most influential decision-making positions. This bias
to basic support services to 80% by 2025 and 90% by against female candidates is most pronounced in village
2030. elections, where women are less likely to garner voter
(3) Enhance efforts to provide guidance and support to support if they have a family. However, having a family is
individuals responsible for gender-based domestic viewed as an advantage for male candidates, resulting in
violence, aiming to achieve a 50% increase in those a significantly higher proportion of male votes in local
criminally prosecuted by 2025 and 70% by 2030. elections going to men (UN Women et al., 2021).
Vietnam is also implementing the National Program Despite Vietnam’s efforts to implement various awareness
on Preventing and Responding to GBV (2021 – 2025), as campaigns and capacity-building programs aimed at
stipulated in Decision No. 2232/QĐ-TTg dated December addressing VAW and better legally empowering women, the
28, 2021. This program sets a specific objective: to ensure high occurrence of unreported cases of violence underscores
that at least 50% of victims of GBV seek help from support the ongoing challenge of effectively addressing and resolving
service providers, with the goal of providing support to the issue. The Vietnamese government has implemented
100% of those in need. many programs to raise awareness of GBV by introducing
optional courses in the education system from middle
The Ministry of Labor, Invalid, and Social Affairs has schools and promoting gender mainstreaming in educational
introduced the Peace House Model, and the Law on the programs and textbooks. However, Vietnam faces a severe
Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence (amended gender imbalance in newborns, primarily driven by a strong
in 2022). This statute includes preventive measures that preference for sons and the practice of sex-selective abortions.
ensure victims have the right to request accommodation in According to the 2019 Census, for every 100 girls born, 111.5
a “Peace House.” However, despite these measures, a survey boys were born, placing Vietnam among the world’s five
indicated that 90% of victims did not report the case and countries with the most significant gender imbalances. In
seek remedies (MOLISA et al., 2020). 2020, the UNFPA estimated that approximately 45,900 female

3. Discussion births go missing each year in Vietnam due to the country’s
high rates of sex-selective abortion (UN Women et al., 2021).
Despite implementing the 2010 National Program on This indicates that sons are still being preferred, and women
Preventing and Responding to GBV, significant concerns are under pressure to have a son to protect their marriage.
persist among various stakeholders in Vietnam regarding Clearly, efforts to shift attitudes and behaviors must continue,
the enduring challenges in addressing VAW and achieving and employing mass media and the education system remains
gender equality. This prompts questions about the vital in eradicating VAW.

Volume 11 Issue 4 (2025) 21 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.1758