Gendered social ideals and empowerment: investigating the intersection of gender and ethnicity among ethnic minorities in Northern Vietnam

Gender equality is a critical theme on the global agenda and has become an envisioned outcome of many rural development projects. Meaningful progress requires a deep understanding of local expectations and norms for both men and women. This study examines the normative gendered social ideals and men’s and women’s empowerment in production and household work, workload division, expenditure and income, and mobility among the H’Mong, Thai, and Dao ethnic minorities in Northern Vietnam. Using data from 36 focus group discussions and 25 key informant interviews collected in August 2022, our findings reveal that both men and women see distinct but parallel roles for men and women within family and community contexts, with harmony as a shared value. However, tensions are reported as well where expectations of mutual support differ, especially when traditional values clash with changing socio-economic demands, and social values are not well-respected by the ‘opposite gender’. We also found that gender intersects with ethnicity to shape empowerment experiences. While Thai men and women are equally empowered, H’Mong and Dao women often face more subordinate roles compared to their male counterparts. Our findings underscore the complexity and dynamic nature of gender norms and relations within communities. Especially for minority groups, revising gender roles and norms while preserving cultural identity is challenging. It is therefore crucial to create inclusive spaces for open dialogue between men and women, allowing communities to identify ongoing debates and challenges while facilitating negotiation on changes in gender roles and expectations.