Vietnam, Women, and Science: Mental Barriers and Gender Gap

Abstract

Considering the cultural context of Vietnamese society, this article explores the influence of mental barriers regarding the traditional role of women and its impact on their possibilities to participate in scientific activities. Vietnam is a country that has promoted scientific and technological activities and the strengthening of a national innovation system as a critical element on its path to development. These actions have made it possible to shore up economic growth that began with opening up and economic reform. In this way, Vietnam has achieved some critical achievements in the economic and social fields. However, reducing the gender gap in scientific activities is still a vital challenge, although the government has taken significant measures to overcome it. The article analyzes the relationship between women in science in Vietnam and the gender stereotype based on data collected through reports of international organizations, news reports, and other relevant data. The principal argument is that this situation results from the mental barriers of Vietnamese society that present strong stereotypes regarding the role of women. Therefore, to advance gender equality, changing the mental stereotypes still present in Vietnamese culture is necessary.