Obstacles to Accessing Healthcare and Safety Services for Minority Women and Girls in Vietnam in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

Vietnam, as a developing country, is actively striving to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by
2030. Despite notable progress, particularly in promoting gender equality, significant challenges remain,
especially in access to healthcare and safety services for women and girls. This study is based on
comprehensive survey data from a national gender equality research project conducted between 2018 and
2021, encompassing 2,894 household questionnaires across six mountainous provinces with a high population
of ethnic minorities. The research findings indicate that ethnic minority women and girls in Vietnam continue
to be among the most vulnerable groups, facing numerous challenges due to cultural traditions, gender biases,
and socio-economic conditions prevalent in mountainous regions. Many ethnic minority women and girls
remain illiterate, and some are unable to speak or understand the national language, severely restricting their
access to healthcare services, particularly reproductive healthcare. Language barriers also hinder effective
communication with healthcare providers, often leading to inadequate or delayed medical treatment.
Traditional customs further exacerbate these issues, as many ethnic minority women are required to give birth
at home, often in unsanitary conditions. In some cases, women are forced to deliver their babies in tents or
huts outside their homes without any assistance from trained medical professionals. These practices pose
significant risks to both maternal and infant health, contributing to higher maternal and neonatal mortality
rates in these areas. Cultural and logistical barriers, along with deeply ingrained gender norms that limit
women's autonomy, continue to obstruct Vietnam’s progress in achieving gender equality. These findings
suggest that while Vietnam is committed to implementing the MDGs, especially in promoting gender equality
and improving healthcare services, substantial challenges persist for ethnic minority women and girls in
remote areas, particularly regarding reproductive health and safety.