Opportunities and barriers for ethnic minority women in economic participation

Besides the barriers to economic participation, ethnic minority women also have many opportunities to enhance their economic power such as advantages in ethnic culture, diligence, creativity... and especially investment resources from the Vietnamese Government as well as support from international organizations.

Mr. Doan Huu Minh, Officer of the Inclusive Development Department, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), shared with Vietnam Women Newspaper about UNDP's research and assessment of opportunities and barriers for ethnic minority women when participating in economic activities.

Mr. Doan Huu Minh, UNDP Officer, interviewed by Vietnam Women's Newspaper. Photo: Minh Cong

3 barriers and "poor pockets"

There are three main barriers to the economic development of ethnic minority women.

Firstly , the level of economic development in ethnic minority areas is always lower than in other areas. Infrastructure is lacking, electricity, roads, schools and stations are still weak.

Ethnic minorities account for only 14.6% of the population, but their poverty rate is 61.3% of the country's overall poverty rate. Ethnic minority areas are now considered the "poverty pockets" of the country.

In particular, women are the ones who have to spend a lot of time on unpaid work (childcare, housework - PV) so they have many limitations in participating in economic activities.

Second , in terms of socio-culture, bad customs such as early marriage, having many children, gender prejudice, drug addiction, etc. are huge barriers for women and girls in mountainous areas and ethnic minority areas in socio-economic development.

Ethnic minority women are struggling to overcome barriers to economic participation.

Next is the language barrier. We consider this a huge barrier because language is the tool and the only means for us to communicate with each other and integrate into the general economic development of the whole society.

The educational level of ethnic minority women is also limited, leading to limited income and employment.

Third, in terms of geographical conditions, in remote areas, difficult transportation makes it very difficult for ethnic minority women to participate in the market, sell goods, and produce.

Ethnic minority women seize opportunities, strengthen economic power

However, besides the above-mentioned barriers, according to UNDP analysis, ethnic minority women also have many opportunities to participate in economic activities and increase their economic empowerment.

Firstly, ethnic minority women are very hard-working, persistent, skillful and creative. They have produced products and specialties that are popular in the market and these are the items that can attract tourists and promise a lot of potential in the future.

Second, in ethnic minority areas, especially for women, they have many advantages in culture, ethnic cultural specialties, and handicraft products. These are highlights that can attract tourists and the government also has many investment policies oneducation , human resource development and maintaining ethnic cultural identity. This is an opportunity for ethnic minority women to develop economically.

Third, information technology as well as digital transformation are currently great tools to help ethnic minority women develop and improve, and this is a channel for them to access information and markets to sell their specialty products.

Fourth, regarding investment resources, related to geographical infrastructure, the government has also had investment programs and policies to encourage the development of electricity, roads, schools and stations, and has upgraded a lot in recent times.

Digital transformation is a tool to help ethnic minority women access information and markets to sell their specialty products. Illustration photo

In addition, the state has also invested a lot in ethnic minority areas, including ethnic minority women. We have projects to support ethnic minority women in starting businesses, and especially recently, we have a national target program on poverty reduction and socio-economic development in ethnic minority areas, which includes components to help ethnic minority women participate in market chains and participate in production models to increase their economic power.

In particular, regarding economic development for ethnic minority women, it is impossible not to mention the contributions of development partners such as UNDP or non-governmental organizations... they have brought many good models and solutions to help ethnic minority women improve their economic life.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/co-hoi-va-rao-can-voi-phu-nu-dan-toc-thieu-so-khi-tham-gia-lam-kinh-te-20240819125555847.htm