...health and reproductive rights is not entirely rosy. Having one of the highest rates of abortion in the region is not exactly a good sign. Instead, this reflects a lacuna that indicates the need for further government intervention in public health in the advancement of women's empowerment and gender equality.

Promising Progressive Policies

The Constitution of Vietnam declares that men and women enjoy equal rights in all aspects and circumstances such as reproductive health: "The State, society, family and citizen have the responsibility to provide health care and protection to mother and children; and carry out the population and family planning program."

Back in 1960, the Vietnamese National Assembly adopted the Law on Marriage and Family which is based on four principles, namely: freedom of marriage; monogamy; gender equality; and protection of women's and children's rights. By 1989, the Law on Protection of People's Health was approved, affirming the people's right to choose contraceptive methods. Further, it states that: "Women have the rights to have abortion; to receive gynecological diagnosis and treatment; and health check-up during pregnancy; and medical service when giving birth at health facilities."

These actions generated strong support from the international community, including the United Nations Population Fund and non-government organisations (NGOs). In the 1980s, the government encouraged small-sized families, ideally with two children, spaced three to five years. By 1997, Vietnam had a 75 million population with an annual growth rate of 2.2 percent. Total fertility rate (TFR) has been declining since the 1980s. In 1987, TFR stood at four children but from 1989 to 1993, the rate was pegged at 3.3 per cent. This even lowered for the period of 1992 to 1996 with 2.7 children. At present, the TFR is estimated at 2.2 children.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

According to the 2006 Health Statistical Yearbook, the Vietnamese population reached 84 million with the growth rate of 1.26 per cent. The contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) is at 67 per cent and incidents of abortion number more than 500,000....

NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.



More articles from Women in Action
The 'war on women' belies the ' war on terror'.(TaLking PoiNts), April 01, 2008
Abortion stories.(TaLking PoiNts), April 01, 2008
From base to summit: abortion law reform in Nepal.(TaLking PoiNts), April 01, 2008

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