Gender equality was mentioned quite early in Vietnam, and views on gender
equality has been recognised in Party documents, the State’s Constitution and
concretised into documents, instructions, decrees, and more importantly, to a
certain extent, have been implemented in the real life in order to bring into full
play the role, position and potential of women in society.
The nation’s renewal cause has made changes in various areas of the social
life. Family which is a social institution also changes for better; especially
relationships in family are increasingly changing towards greater democracy and
equality. It can be said that family and the advancement of women are the two
closely related issues. In family, women play a crucial role, being the first teacher
of mankind, the soul of the whole family, and the creator of soul and personality of
man from birth until their maturity. In order to bring into full play their role,
women must be persons with progressive thinking and their family is where the
advancement of women begins. A woman cannot raise their position when there is
a shortage of equality in her family and role sharing among family members as
well as social support. Gender equality in family work is of significance,
contributing to economic development, improving the quality of human resources,
and promoting the implementation of social justice.
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der relatinoship from the perspective of
ethnic minority groups in Vietnam; the work Gender relationship in ethnic
minority families in the northern mountainous region at present by Nguyen Thi
Ha; The impacts of natural disaster and climate change on ethnic minority
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communies in the northern region - from gender prism by Pham Thu Hien; the
writing The development of human resource in the cause of industrialisation and
modernisation in northern mountainous provinces at present by Le Tuan Ngoc,
among others.
1.2. VALUES OF RELATED STUDIES AND CONTENTS THAT NEED
TO BE CLARIFIED BY THE THESIS
1.2.1. Values of related studies mentioned above
First, the studies mentioned above are valuable materials both in theory and
practice so as the thesis could use as a source of reference in the process of
implementing its objectives and tasks. The studies partly indicate the necessity of
the study on gender equality in ethnic minority family work the northern
mountainous region at present, providing the thesis author with theoretical
grounds and a part of pratical grounds, and suggesting a number of issues raised
and solutions for promoting gender equality in ethnic minority family work in the
northern mountainous region.
Second, a number of studies analyse and define the postiion and role of
women in the process of socio-economic development, intepreting and clarifying
at a certain extend the issue of gender in family work such as: labour division,
access to and benefit from resources, the right to make decisions and enjoy
benefits. Of note, authors of numerous studies focus their study and moe
emphasise on ethnic minority women in the northern mountianous region.
Third, some works have introduced new ways of assesing and perceiving a
kind of family labour (reproductive labour), suggesting ways of quantifying the
value of reproductive labour, and analysing the contribution of reproductive labour
to the national economy.
Fourth, some studies analyse and indicate barriers to the development of
ethnic minority women, and barriers to the implementation of gender equality in
ethnic minority family work in certain aspects as follos: hard economic situations,
backward custom and practices, low liberacy level, and so on.
Fifth, a number of studies identify changes in the family of ethnic minority
people in the northern mountainous region such as: family structure, family
relations, decision-making, division of labour, education and marriage.
Sixth, some studies provide an overview of the renewal and development
process in mountainous areas as well as achievements and shortcomings of that
process, suggesting development orientations and principles for the mountainous
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region and region concentrating ethnic minority groups; mention the gap between
rich and poor in the northern mountianous region, and its influence on aspects of
social life generally speaking, including the influence on gender equality in ethnic
minority family work.
Seventh, some studies focus on analysing the relationship between gender,
poverty and developemnt policy, employing gender in macroeconomic policies,
and suggesting ways to address poverty from the perspectives of gender and
inequality. From that point, the studies’ authors highlight responsibilities of policy
makers and the community as well towards the implementation of the Millennium
Development Goals.
1.2.2. Contents should be further studies and clarified in the thesis
Although there are many studies on gender equality, the role of women in
family, and the transformation of gender relations in family, but they have only
studies some aspects of family work, and have not comprehensively studies on
gender equality in family work. A number of scientific and practical arguments on
the significance of the implementation of gender equality in family work generally
speaking and in ethnic minority family work in the northern mountainous region,
some facrors that prevent ethnic minority women from promoting their roles, an
the implementation of gender equality are not mentioned yet.
Currently, there are no authors or works that intensively and systematically
study gender equality in ethnic minority family work in the northern mountainous
region from the socio-political aspects. This is one of the gaps that need to be
researched in order to implement gender equality in family in general and in ethnic
minority family particularly speaking and more fully.
From the values of researches related to the topic of the thesis, and from the
approach of the Scientific Socialism speciality, the author shall focus on
researching, arguing and solving some basic issues as follows:
First, to generalise theoretical and practical grounds for the necessity to
implement gender equality in ethnic minority family work in the northern
mountainous region, focusing on: the theory of family work, ethnic minority
family work in the northern mountainous region, expression of gender equality in
ethnic minority family work in the northern mounttains region; the role of gender
equality in ethnic minority family work in the norhtern mountainous region
towards socio-economic development in the northern mountainous region; impacts
of natural, economic, cultural and social elements and social policies on the
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implementation of gender equality in ethnic minority family in the northern
mountainous region at present.
Second, based on practical data, the thesis analyses the real situation of
gender equality in ethnic minority family work in the northern mountainous
region, focusing on: production activities; reproduction activities; and community
activities.
Third, to study and clarify issues raised, especially contradictions in the
implementation of gender equality in ethnic minority family work in the northern
mountainous region at present.
Fourth, to propose fundamental views and solutions to promote gender
equality in ethnic minority family work in the northern mountainous region.
Chapter 2
THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL GROUNDS ON GENDER
EQUALITY IN ETHNIC MINORITY FAMILY IN THE NORTHERN
MOUNTAINOUS REGION OF VIETNAM AT PRESENT
2.1. FAMILY WORK AND GENDER EQUALITY IN FAMILY WORK
2.1.1. The concept of family work
The thesis author approaches the concept of family work with the follow
functions: Family work is a series of purposeful activities of family members in
order to fulfill family functions, and to ensure the existence and stable
development of the family. Family work consists of production activity,
reproduction activity and community activity.
2.1.2. The concept of gender equality in family work
Gender equality in family work is the fact that men and women in the family
have equal position and role, opportunities and conditions to participate into all
production activities, reproduction activities and community activities so as they
can bring into full play their ability and capacity to ensure the existence and stable
development of the family and equally enjoy benefits from such contributions.
To further clarify the comprehension of the concept of gender equality in
family work, the thesis author shall base on the following gender analysis tools:
gender-based division of family work; access to resources; family decision-
making; and enjoyment of benefits.
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2.2. ETHNIC MINORITY FAMILY WORK IN THE NORTHERN
MOUNTAINOUS REGION AND GENDER EQUALITY IN ETHNIC
MINORITY FAMILY WORK IN THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINOUS REGION
2.2.1. Characteristics of ethnic minority family work in the northern
mountainous region
2.2.1.1. Regarding production activity
The production activity of ethnic minority families in the northern
mountainous region differs from the production activity in other regions in the
country because it mainly occurs in the agricultural area. Besides, there are some
auxiliary livelihood activities such as handicrafts, hunting, gathering, small trading
and working for others.
2.2.1.2. Regarding reproduction activity
Large family with a great number of members is the first and foremost
feature of rural people and ethnic minority groups. In the meanwhile, social
security services in these areas, particularly in remote and mountainous areas,
remain underdeveloped in comparison with other parts of the country. With these
characteristics, it is clearly seen that the volume of work involved in reproduction
activity which women have to undertake is relatively huge, time-and effort-
consuming.
2.2.1.3. Regarding community activity
Although many ethnic groups reside in a region or a commune, but within
the scope of a village, they often include people from the same ethnic group and in
many cases they have a flesh - and - blood relation, so many families in the village
have blood relationship with each other. The live in close cohesion, in which each
individual is a link of a chain connecting with each other because of not only their
blood and neighbour relationships but also cultural and religious activities,
particularly livelihood activities.
2.2.2. Expression of gender equality in ethnic minority family work in
the northern mountainous region
First, gender equality in the production activity of ethnic minority families
in the northern mountainous region in the aspects of: Work division between wife
and husband in agriculture, handicrafts, hired labour, trading of goods and
services; Access to production resources such as: land, capital, agricultural
promotion services; Rights to make decision in production activity: change of
production direction, capital; Enjoyment of benefits: inheritance, education.
Second, gender equality in reproduction activity of ethnic minority families
in the northern mountainous region is demonstrated through following aspects:
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Division of work between wife and husband in activities such as cooking,
washing, shopping, money keeping, caring and educating children, caring for the
elderly, collecting water, rice pounding, collecting materials for firing, and fixing
family stuff; Access to resources in reproduction activity: management of family
money, and family planning measures; Rights to make decisions related to
reproduction activities: family expenses, the number of children, and use of
contraceptives; Enjoyment of benefits related to reproduction activities: healthcare
and recreation.
Third, gender equality in community activity of ethnic minority families in
the northern mountainous region is demonstrated through the aspects as follows:
Assignment of responsibilities between wife and husband in activities such as:
who is attending funeral/wedding, communicating with the authorities, attending
village meetingsg, receiving guest, cleaning the village, and participating into the
village’s worships; Right to access community activitiies of husband and wife;
Right to make decisions to participate int community activities: Enjoyment of
benefit from community activities.
2.3. THE ROLE OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GENDER EQUALITY
IN ETHNIC MINORITY FAMILY WORK IN THE NORHTERN
MOUNTAINOUS REGION OF VIETNAM AT PRESENT
The implementation of gender equality in ethnic minority family work plays
a significant role towards the socio-economic development in the norhern
mountainous region at present, specifically:
First, gender equality in ethnic minority family work shall contribute to
economic development in the northern mountainous region.
Second, gender equality in ethnic minority family work shall contribute to
raising the quality of human resources, satisfying requirements of the
industrialisation and modernisation of the northern mountainous region.
Third, gender equality in ethnic minority family work is the premise for the
implementation of social equality in the northern mountainous region.
2.4. ELEMENTS AFFECTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GENDER
EQUALITY IN ETHNIC MINORITY FAMILY WORK IN THE NORTHERN
MOUNTAINOUS REGION OF VIETNAM
Elements including nature, economic, social and cultural elements, and
social policy have significant impacts on the implementation of gender equality in
ethnic minority family work in the northern mountainous region at present, both
positive and negative.
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Chapter 3
GENDER EQUALITY IN ETHNIC MINORITY FAMILY WORK IN
NORTHERN MOUNTAINOUS PROVINCES OF VIỆT NAM AT
PRESENT - SITUATION AND PROBLEMS
3.1. THE SITUATION OF IMPLEMENTING GENDER EQUALITY IN
ETHNIC MINORITY FAMILY WORK IN NORTHERN MOUNTAINOUS
PROVINCES OF VIỆT NAM AT PRESENT
3.1.1. In production activities
3.1.1.1. Labour division
The research result of the thesis about labour division in terms of gender in
production of ethnic minority people in northern mountainous provinces shows
that in the context of socio-economic underdevelopment, low production capacity
and difficulties in life, the women play a very important role in production,
creating economic benefits and ensuring food supply for the famiy and the whole
community. They participate in almost and are fairly equal with men in production
activities of the family, and the superiority of jobs that brings in more income than
men is also affirmed. However, the survey result of the thesis also shows that the
gender stereotype (the unwritten principle) still dominates the thinking and
activities of the people here when engaging in production.
In terms of ethnicity, the level of participation of both husband and wife in
production is more popular and higher in the Tay and Thai families than in the
H'Mong and La Hu ethnic groups.
3.1.1.2. Access to production resources
- Land
In families of ethnic minority groups in northern mountainous provinces at
present, although the rate of both husband and wife share the ownership rights in
the red book or land use certificates accounts for only 13.8 percent, and women
account for a small proportion of land ownership rights of 9.0 percent, it shows
positive changes in awareness of people in general and ethnic minority women in
particular of property ownership rights. It also partly reflects the equality between
husband and wife. In terms of ethnicity, we can see that the rate of both husband
and wife having names in the red book of Thai and Tay ethnic groups is equivalent
(14.5 percent, 14.2 percent), higher than that of H’Mong and La Hu ethnic groups
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(13.1 percent, 13.2 percent). In reality, the access to land ownership rights of
women in ethnic minority groups in northern mountainous provinces is very low.
- Loan
Regardless of the high, medium or low level of development, the tendency
of both spouses to co-borrow loans is high, which demonstrates more equality and
democracy in family relationships as well as access to production resources of
women. However, the opportunity to get access to loans of men still nearly
doubles that of women with up to 39.6 percent of husband borrowing loans while
only 20.5 percent of wife borrowing loans.
- Agricultural promotion services
The survey result shows that more than 90 percent of participants of
agricultural promotion training classes confirmed that participating in such
classes is effective. At present, 25 percent of women in ethnic minority families
in northern mountainous provinces have chances to get access to agricultural
promotion activities and this is probably a new progress showing the
advancement of women. However, there is a remarkable difference in getting
access to agricultural promotion services between men and women with men
remains those getting access to agricultural promotion activities the most,
accounting for 60 percent.
3.1.1.3. The rights to make decision in production activities
- Changing production direction of the family
The survey data shows that the right to make decision in production and
business activities of family is now not only reserved for husbands but also for
wives. However, the main decision-making power still belongs to men while
ethnic minority women are still vulnerable and have less chances to make decision
in production and business activities.
- Loans
That both husband and wife discuss to make final decision in using loans
has become a popular trend in ethnic families at present, accounting for a high rate
of 45.6 percent. It proves that gender relationship in the families is more
progressive, democratic and equitable than before. However, there remains
difference between men and women in deciding how to use the loans. The survey
data shows that 34.6 percent of respondents confirmed that the decision to use the
loan was made by husband and only 19.8 percent was made by wife. For the Thai
and Tay ethnic families, the role of wife in deciding how to use the loans is higher,
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equivalent to 22.3 percent and 25.4 percent, while La Hu ethnic group does not
borrow loans for production over the past time.
3.1.1.4. Enjoyment of benefits
- Property inheritance
Regarding inheritance rights (the thesis refers only to land), the decision to
divide property evenly among children accounts for 13.9 percent, and the decision
to divide property to daughters only accounts for a very modest ratio of 2.2
percent. However, it reflects a positive change in awareness of ethnic minority
people on the inheritance rights of daughters. Although the rate is still small, it
shows the tendency of parents in ethnic minority families to treat sons and
daughters equally and opportunities to be equal in inheritance of women. It can be
seen that the answer of respondents that son is the only inheritor accounts for the
highest ratio, and this data reflects both awareness and the real status of property
inheritance in terms of gender in ethnic minority family in northern mountainous
provinces at present.
- Education
Most of interviewed parents in ethnic minority families think that boys and
girls should have equal rights in education. However, in fact, boys have more
opportunities to go to schools than girls. According to the survey result, up to 55
percent of ethnic minority people believe that it is necessary to invest in having
boys to complete high schools while the rate for girls is 38 percent. It is more
equal in Tay and Thai ethnic minority families when they believe that girls need to
complete high schools while some of them want to have daughters go to
universities or complete secondary schools or vocational training.
In conclusion, women play a very big role in production activities of ethnic
minority families in northern mountainous provinces, and they participate in
almost works and are in charge of many works. However, their economic
contribution was not properly recognized. Although the trend of equality in family
appears, the access to, control of, decision-making and enjoyment of benefits in
production activities of women are still limited and there remains inequality
between women and men.
3.1.2. In reproduction activities
3.1.2.1. Labour division
Currently, men in ethnic minority families in northern mountainous
provinces have participated and shared reproduction activities. Although there are
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changes towards equality in reproductive work, women still hold main
responsibility and women’s labour intensity in this area is very high and is many
times higher than that of men.
3.1.2.2. Access to resources in reproduction activities
- Financial management in family
The thesis’s survey result shows that in ethnic minority families in northern
mountainous provinces, in general, the wife keeps control on money, accounting
for a high proportion of 72.2 percent while only 15.1 percent of husbands keep
control of money and 12 percent of both husbands and wives keep control of
money. In terms of ethnicity, we can see differences between H’Mong ethnic
minority group and other ethnic minority groups in household economic
management.
- Family planning measures
The use of contraceptives of ethnic minority people in northern mountainous
provinces has recently tended to increase, showing that access to contraception
information and services for ethnic minority people has improved. Many men are
active in using contraceptives (15.3 percent). However, in addition to a few
contraceptions for men, the responsibility for health and family planning is mainly
aimed at women.
3.1.2.3. Decision-making power in reproduction activities
- Decision relating to expenses in family
The thesis’s survey result shows that the decisive role of women has become
more important in family life, which is reflected by both men and women deciding
big expenses in families accounting for the highest rate. It can be seen that the
democratic relationship has gradually formed in families, a huge advancement in
gender relationship. However, men still hold main decisive role in large expenses
that have significant effects on economic conditions of families, nearly doubling
that of women.
- Decision on number of children
In surveyed families, both husbands and wives decide the use of
contraception and the number of children. This is a big progress in the equality
between men and women and it also shows that awareness of ethnic minority
people of family planning has changed positively. However, the fact that women
use contraception is not entirely determined by them, but often depends on the
decision of men and the percentage of decision making by men is twice as high as
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that of women. Apart from a few contraceptions for men, the responsibility for
health and family planning is mainly aimed at women.
3.1.2.4. Enjoyment of benefits
- Healthcare
There are significant differences between women and men in accessing
healthcare services. Men tend to get access to better and more modern healthcare
services than women. Thai and Tay ethnic minority people have better access to
higher level hospitals, in terms of financial capacity, distance and transportation.
- Entertainment
The finding of the thesis on cultural enjoyment or the use of time outside
production and work shows that women and men have differences in using free
time. Men have more time to rest and enjoy spiritual benefits than women.
In conclusion, although the relationship in ethnic minority families in
northern mountainous provinces tends to be more equal and democratic, men - the
backbone of the family - still have more advantages than women and their voices
weigh more than that of women in big decisions of families. If we consider the
decision making and enjoyments of benefit from work in the family in terms of
ethnicity, the rate of both husbands and wives in families of Thai and Tay ethnic
minority groups discussing together to make decision on family works is higher
than that of H’Mong and La Hu ethnic minority groups. In Thai and Tay families,
women are shared and enjoy benefits better than families in H’Mong and La Hu
ethnic minority groups.
3.1.3. In community activities
3.1.3.1. Labour division
Like production and reproduction activities, in community activities, we can
see that men often take main responsibility in important works while women take
minor role.
3.1.3.2. Access to community activities
Data shows that men are still main actors in community activities but there
has been role sharing and transfer between men and women. In terms of ethnicity,
it can be seen that Tay and Thai ethnic groups appreciate the advancement of
women and the community role of women is higher than that of women in
H’Mong and La Hu ethnic groups. As a result, the position of Thai and Tay
women is higher and they are more equal and free to participate in social activities.
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3.1.3.3. Decision-making power in joining community activities
The presence of women on a regular basis as the representative of the family
and the head of the family to participate in wedding or funeral ceremonies,
receptions, working with local authorities or discussing and deciding important
issues of the community - the activities that are traditionally biased in terms of
gender - is an important progress of ethnic minority women and it reflects
integration of gender role and positive changes of position between men and
women. However, men still hold the key role and the rate of men participating in
meetings is higher than that of women.
3.1.3.4. Enjoyment of benefits
Currently, the access to and enjoyment of values from activities of ethnic
minority women remain limited in comparison with men.
In conclusion, the gender relationship in community activities of ethnic
minority groups i
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