This mixed methods participatory study explores equity and fairness in access to Vietnam’s Covid-... more This mixed methods participatory study explores equity and fairness in access to Vietnam’s Covid-19 vaccination programme, when the Covid-19 vaccine was scarce, with a focus on internal migrant workers. At the beginning of the pandemic large numbers of Vietnamese migrants from rural areas lost their jobs. Migrants are vital to the Vietnamese economy. Many factories that produce goods for export employ internal migrants. Before the pandemic, these workers faced inequalities of access to available health services and nutritious food. Although the Vietnamese state aspires to universal access to health, internal migrant workers living outside their village do not have long-term household book registration, which is the key to access many public services including health care and prevention. We found that migrant workers, especially those working in the export zones where factories produce for export, did have access to vaccination. However, there are intersectional inequalities between ...
This qualitative study examines attitudes toward recourse seeking and intervention in cases of in... more This qualitative study examines attitudes toward recourse seeking and intervention in cases of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women in periurban Vietnam. The data come from 20 open-ended interviews, 4 focus group discussions, and 40 cognitive interviews conducted with married men and women. The findings indicate that many people hold contradictory beliefs and inconsistent attitudes about IPV and IPV intervention. Also, most informants know about the law against domestic violence in the abstract, but have limited knowledge of, and confidence in, potential mechanisms for recourse provided under the law. Strategies intended to undermine IPV and promote recourse seeking and intervention in Vietnam should be strategically designed to address ambivalence concerning IPV and recourse, and there should be a focus on changing norms associated with masculinity. Further efforts are needed to disseminate information about existing laws and mechanisms of recourse.
Civil society in contemporary Vietnam has been recognised as an important force in public health.... more Civil society in contemporary Vietnam has been recognised as an important force in public health. Based on qualitative interviews and observations of 30 organisations and networks in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, this paper argues that civil society organisations (CSOs) focus almost exclusively on providing information and services, including care and treatment, in line with a state-sanctioned 'implementer' role for civil society, and that these organisations therefore miss an opportunity to act as agents for change. It was observed that the CSOs taking on roles involving advocacy and the monitoring of policy implementation were those that focus exclusively on HIV/AIDS prevention and control. However, the sustainability of these efforts is unclear.
Despite the efforts of the government to promote gender equality in Vietnam, gender-based violenc... more Despite the efforts of the government to promote gender equality in Vietnam, gender-based violence is still a critical issue. This article explores a pilot project, the Responsible Men Club, developed and implemented in a coastal district in Vietnam from 2010 to 2012 to work with men to stop violence against their wives. Focusing on masculinity and promoting gender equality in a culturally relevant way significantly improves acceptance of the programme by men themselves and their communities, and enhances its impact. We argue that empowerment, a process often used for women, is also important for men. To construct and encourage a positive, non-violent version of masculinity, men need relevant knowledge, skills, mentoring, and peer support. It is a challenge for gender-based violence programmes to work on increasing public awareness of the issue of violence against women, and reduce society's tolerance of it, without increasing stigmatisation of and objections to men in general, and to perpetrator men in particular.
Vietnam has advanced far beyond most other developing countries and, indeed, surpasses many devel... more Vietnam has advanced far beyond most other developing countries and, indeed, surpasses many developed countries in adopting a legal framework based on gender equality, and in creating institutions and programmes to support women's advancement. Inegalitarian gender norms have also persisted, however. The Vietnam Women's Union promotes women's educational, political and economic advancement but simultaneously exhorts women to pay attention to
This article shares insights from research into the economic opportunities
and obstacles that Vie... more This article shares insights from research into the economic opportunities and obstacles that Vietnamese transgender men and women face in a fast-growing economy mainly composed of small and medium-sized enterprises. The findings demonstrate that gender norms lead to economic inequality between trans men and women. They also show that small businesses and entrepreneurship play an important role in creating legitimate and satisfying employment for transgender people.
How can the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) help to realize justice in sexual and reproductiv... more How can the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) help to realize justice in sexual and reproductive health? Editorial introduction to a special issue of Culture, Health & Sexuality examining the promises of Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDG) for the realization of justice in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in the Asia-Pacific region. Bringing about universal access to SRHR services and rights does not depend only on health system reforms but is also linked to gender equality, inclusive education, environmental sustainability and economic development.
This mixed methods participatory study explores equity and fairness in access to Vietnam’s Covid-... more This mixed methods participatory study explores equity and fairness in access to Vietnam’s Covid-19 vaccination programme, when the Covid-19 vaccine was scarce, with a focus on internal migrant workers. At the beginning of the pandemic large numbers of Vietnamese migrants from rural areas lost their jobs. Migrants are vital to the Vietnamese economy. Many factories that produce goods for export employ internal migrants. Before the pandemic, these workers faced inequalities of access to available health services and nutritious food. Although the Vietnamese state aspires to universal access to health, internal migrant workers living outside their village do not have long-term household book registration, which is the key to access many public services including health care and prevention. We found that migrant workers, especially those working in the export zones where factories produce for export, did have access to vaccination. However, there are intersectional inequalities between ...
This qualitative study examines attitudes toward recourse seeking and intervention in cases of in... more This qualitative study examines attitudes toward recourse seeking and intervention in cases of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women in periurban Vietnam. The data come from 20 open-ended interviews, 4 focus group discussions, and 40 cognitive interviews conducted with married men and women. The findings indicate that many people hold contradictory beliefs and inconsistent attitudes about IPV and IPV intervention. Also, most informants know about the law against domestic violence in the abstract, but have limited knowledge of, and confidence in, potential mechanisms for recourse provided under the law. Strategies intended to undermine IPV and promote recourse seeking and intervention in Vietnam should be strategically designed to address ambivalence concerning IPV and recourse, and there should be a focus on changing norms associated with masculinity. Further efforts are needed to disseminate information about existing laws and mechanisms of recourse.
Civil society in contemporary Vietnam has been recognised as an important force in public health.... more Civil society in contemporary Vietnam has been recognised as an important force in public health. Based on qualitative interviews and observations of 30 organisations and networks in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, this paper argues that civil society organisations (CSOs) focus almost exclusively on providing information and services, including care and treatment, in line with a state-sanctioned 'implementer' role for civil society, and that these organisations therefore miss an opportunity to act as agents for change. It was observed that the CSOs taking on roles involving advocacy and the monitoring of policy implementation were those that focus exclusively on HIV/AIDS prevention and control. However, the sustainability of these efforts is unclear.
Despite the efforts of the government to promote gender equality in Vietnam, gender-based violenc... more Despite the efforts of the government to promote gender equality in Vietnam, gender-based violence is still a critical issue. This article explores a pilot project, the Responsible Men Club, developed and implemented in a coastal district in Vietnam from 2010 to 2012 to work with men to stop violence against their wives. Focusing on masculinity and promoting gender equality in a culturally relevant way significantly improves acceptance of the programme by men themselves and their communities, and enhances its impact. We argue that empowerment, a process often used for women, is also important for men. To construct and encourage a positive, non-violent version of masculinity, men need relevant knowledge, skills, mentoring, and peer support. It is a challenge for gender-based violence programmes to work on increasing public awareness of the issue of violence against women, and reduce society's tolerance of it, without increasing stigmatisation of and objections to men in general, and to perpetrator men in particular.
Vietnam has advanced far beyond most other developing countries and, indeed, surpasses many devel... more Vietnam has advanced far beyond most other developing countries and, indeed, surpasses many developed countries in adopting a legal framework based on gender equality, and in creating institutions and programmes to support women's advancement. Inegalitarian gender norms have also persisted, however. The Vietnam Women's Union promotes women's educational, political and economic advancement but simultaneously exhorts women to pay attention to
This article shares insights from research into the economic opportunities
and obstacles that Vie... more This article shares insights from research into the economic opportunities and obstacles that Vietnamese transgender men and women face in a fast-growing economy mainly composed of small and medium-sized enterprises. The findings demonstrate that gender norms lead to economic inequality between trans men and women. They also show that small businesses and entrepreneurship play an important role in creating legitimate and satisfying employment for transgender people.
How can the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) help to realize justice in sexual and reproductiv... more How can the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) help to realize justice in sexual and reproductive health? Editorial introduction to a special issue of Culture, Health & Sexuality examining the promises of Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDG) for the realization of justice in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in the Asia-Pacific region. Bringing about universal access to SRHR services and rights does not depend only on health system reforms but is also linked to gender equality, inclusive education, environmental sustainability and economic development.
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and obstacles that Vietnamese transgender men and women face in a
fast-growing economy mainly composed of small and medium-sized
enterprises. The findings demonstrate that gender norms lead to
economic inequality between trans men and women. They also show
that small businesses and entrepreneurship play an important role in
creating legitimate and satisfying employment for transgender people.
for the realization of justice in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in the Asia-Pacific region. Bringing about universal access to SRHR services and rights does not depend only on health system reforms but is also linked to gender equality, inclusive
education, environmental sustainability and economic development.
and obstacles that Vietnamese transgender men and women face in a
fast-growing economy mainly composed of small and medium-sized
enterprises. The findings demonstrate that gender norms lead to
economic inequality between trans men and women. They also show
that small businesses and entrepreneurship play an important role in
creating legitimate and satisfying employment for transgender people.
for the realization of justice in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in the Asia-Pacific region. Bringing about universal access to SRHR services and rights does not depend only on health system reforms but is also linked to gender equality, inclusive
education, environmental sustainability and economic development.