Vietnam

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a communist country in Asia bordered by China to the north, Cambodia to the southwest, and Laos to the northwest. Vietnam underwent market liberalization, or doi moi, also known as renovation, in 1986. Vietnam had a population just shy of 87 million people as of July 2009. Women in Vietnam continue to face a number of challenges, such as political underrepresentation, inequality in access to education and the formal labor market, restrictions in reproductive choice, and violence. Vietnamese women comprise approximately 25 percent of the National Assembly. However, women are underrepresented at senior levels of decision-making, with only one female minister in place as of November 2009.

There is no gender gap in primary or secondary education at an aggregate level. However, ethnic minority women have lower literacy and education participation rates. While the proportion of women and men participating in the workforce is almost equal, women work longer hours than men, reflecting dual responsibility for reproductive work and care-giving. Women dominate the informal labor market.

Vietnam achieved a sharp decline in infant mortality over the 17-year period between 1990 and 2007. In 1990, there were 223 deaths per 100,000 live births, down to 75 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2007. This trend is slowing. Infant and maternal mortality rates are higher among ethnic minorities. Vietnam has one of the highest abortion rates in the region. Sex-selective abortion is illegal but continues to be practiced. According to state policy, couples are limited to only two children, and there is a strong preference for sons. Nationally, Vietnam has a gender ratio at birth of 111 males to 100 females.

A Vietnamese community gives bicycles to girls to eliminate one of the obstacles that prevent girls from attending school.