English - CEDAW Southeast Asia

CEDAW and the Law:
in many cases, no sufficient gender analysis is provided. Hence, although disparity can be
seen between the sexes, there is limited information or analysis on the causes or reasons for
such disparity. Sex-disaggregated data and gender analysis will enable measurement of the
impact of legislation or interventions, which is critical for monitoring performance of obligations
under CEDAW.
There are several national strategies/plans that can assist in tracking progress. In relation
to gender equality, the ‘National Strategy for the Advancement Women’ and ‘Plan of Action
for the Advancement of Women in Viet Nam by 2005. (No. 26/2002/KH-UBOG of March 18,
2002)’ (Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women) are the key policy documents.
The overall objective of ‘National Strategy for the Advancement Women’ is to improve
the quality of women’s material and spiritual life, as well as establish the conditions necessary
for women to experience their fundamental rights and to fully and equally participate in and
benefit from all aspects of political, economic, cultural and social life. It contains 5 specific
objectives with 20 specific targets in the following priority areas: (a) employment; (b) education;
(c) health; (d) participation and leadership; and (e) strengthening the machinery for the
advancement of women. The National Strategy for the Advancement of Vietnamese Women
till 2010 (Decision No. 19/2002/QD-TTG of February 21, 2002) (National Strategy for the
Advancement of Women) is a sectoral strategy under the Government’s primary planning documents,
the SEDS and SEDP. Each of the 64 provinces also develops their own plan of action
for the advancement of women and socio-economic development plan reflecting local circumstances.
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The National Strategy for the Advancement of Women and ‘Plan of Action for the
Advancement of Women’ provide direction as well as monitoring mechanisms within which
progress can be measured. However, the ‘Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women’ is
limited as a monitoring tool. It is limited to only the five objectives or areas of concern: labor
and employment, education, health care, leadership and participation, and machinery for the
advancement of women. It is more quantitatively oriented. It does not measure comprehensively
impact on women of interventions. It also does not focus enough on emerging issues
and challenges. Hence, there is a need for a more appropriate monitoring system on gender
equality.
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Other strategies and plans, in particular the SEDP and Comprehensive Poverty
Reduction and Growth Strategy (Document No. 2685/VPCP-QHQT of May 21, 2002) (CPRGS)
also work as monitoring tools on gender equality, to a certain extent. See Indicator 17.
Recommendation: It is recommended that clearly defined guidelines for incorporation
of gender in systematic data collection and analysis, including sex-disaggregated
data, gender indicators and gender analysis, be provided to cover the work of GSO,
other statistics offices, appropriate State agencies and ministries in their data collection
and analysis work.
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Wells, op. cit., p. 62
Review of key legal documents and compliance with CEDAW