Executive Summary
The 2008-2009 financial crisis caused a global economic recession. In response Vietnam, along with many countries in the Asia-Pacific region, implemented an economic stimulus package (ESP). This paper considers the gender implications of such stimulus packages to improve eventual outcomes, not just in terms of rights but also in terms of economic efficiency and productivity. We look, firstly, at how financial crises – and government responses – have different consequences for men and women because many industries in developing countries are sex-stereotyped so that women dominate the workforces of textiles, garments and electronics, while men dominate the construction workforce. The 1997-1998 Asian Financial Crisis provided lessons for responding to future economic crises with an argument for gender-responsive planning and budgeting to ensure that both sexes will benefit substantially from the use of public resources.

This paper was commissioned by the UN in Viet Nam to provide a summary of current issues relating to gender-based violence in Viet Nam. The paper looks at the types of gender-based violence in Viet Nam and analyses the socio-economic, legislative and policy context surrounding this violence. The paper also analyses ways to address gender-based violence and finally puts forward a number of key recommendations.

This fact sheet summarizes the paper “Gender-based violence” prepared by the UN in Viet Nam. It looks at the socio-economic and cultural context of gender-based violence in Viet Nam, as well as the legislative and policy context. The fact sheet summarizes some of the challenges in preventing and addressing gender-based violence and finally lists a number of recommendations.

This National Study on Domestic Violence against Women in Viet Nam was conducted by the General Statistics Office (GSO) of Viet Nam. The study was carried out as part of the United Nations-Government of Viet Nam Joint Programme on Gender Equality (JPGE), with technical support provided by the World Health Organization. This report presents the findings of the National Study on Domestic Violence against women in Viet Nam. The report focuses on the prevalence and nature of domestic violence committed against women, primarily by their husbands; attitudes towards and perceptions of violence; the direct and indirect impact of violence on women and their children; and how women respond when they experience domestic violence. The study findings together with key recommendations represent a valuable contribution to ending violence against women so that all Vietnamese women and children can enjoy a happy, safe and harmonious family life.

The issue:
Viet Nam has a long history of promoting gender equality. It is a signatory to human rights conventions guaranteeing equality between men and women, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It also has a National Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women and has mainstreamed gender into the Socio-economic Development Plan. In 2006, the National Assembly passed the Gender Equality Law and in 2007 the Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control was passed. MOLISA is designated as the State management agency responsible for gender equality and MOCST is the State management agency responsible for the prevention and control of domestic violence.