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Explores the issue of gender equality in Vietnam with a critical examination of MDG 3
Introduction
The eight MDGs, which were drawn from the Millennium Declaration, were published along with 18 specific targets and 48 indicators in August 2001. Devised by a working committee constituted from a range of UN bodies and special agencies, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, UNICEF, the Population Fund and the World Health Organization, as well as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the MDGs form a set of development outcomes focused on health, education and other aspects of human security. Vietnam's progress in respect to the MDGs is undeniable. MDG 1 on the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger was achieved in 2000, with the MDG Monitor indicating that five other MDGs, including MDG 3 on gender equality, will be achieved by 2015.1 Only MDG 6, which involves the halting and reversal of the spread of HIV/AIDS and malaria by 2015 and universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment, is unlikely to be achieved in Vietnam by 2015 (Wells, 2005: iii).
Vietnam has received significant accolades from the international community for its progress in respect to the standard indicators that relate to gender equality. There is no gender gap evident in primary and secondary school enrolment, Vietnamese women have one of the highest labour force participation rates in the world and Vietnam has one of the highest percentages of women in national parliament in the Asia-Pacific region (World Bank, 2006: 115). While recognizing Vietnam's MDG achievements, a disaggregated analysis and an assessment of gender equality against other international standards, are needed to adequately understand the scale of gender inequality in the country. I am not suggesting that the Government of Vietnam fails to recognize the shortfalls or that the Government has not made significant progress in its approach to this issue. Dr Nguyen Ba Thuy, Deputy Minister of Health and General Director of the General Office for Population and Family Planning, conceded the extent of further work that is required in a speech delivered on World Population Day in 2009. Specifically, with regard to the MDGs, Dr Nguyen Ba Thuy noted that many challenges remain in achieving maternal health targets. The maternal mortality ratio may be lower...