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

Vietnam, as a developing country, is actively striving to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by2030. 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 oncomprehensive survey data from a national gender equality research project conducted between 2018 and2021, encompassing 2,894 household questionnaires across six mountainous provinces with a high populationof ethnic minorities. The research findings indicate that ethnic minority women and girls in Vietnam continueto 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 girlsremain illiterate, and some are unable to speak or understand the national language, severely restricting theiraccess to healthcare services, particularly reproductive healthcare. Language barriers also hinder effectivecommunication 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 birthat home, often in unsanitary conditions. In some cases, women are forced to deliver their babies in tents orhuts outside their homes without any assistance from trained medical professionals. These practices posesignificant risks to both maternal and infant health, contributing to higher maternal and neonatal mortalityrates in these areas. Cultural and logistical barriers, along with deeply ingrained gender norms that limitwomen's autonomy, continue to obstruct Vietnam’s progress in achieving gender equality. These findingssuggest that while Vietnam is committed to implementing the MDGs, especially in promoting gender equalityand improving healthcare services, substantial challenges persist for ethnic minority women and girls inremote areas, particularly regarding reproductive health and safety.