TTLA: Gender Equality in Family Decision-Making Among Ethnic Minority Groups in Vietnam (Case Study of the Dao Ethnic Group in Lang Son and the Cham Ethnic Group in Ninh Thuan)

1. Full name of doctoral candidate: Tran Thi Thanh Loan 2. Gender: Female
3. Date of birth: November 12, 1983 4. Place of birth: Nam Dinh

5. Decision to recognize doctoral students: Decision No. 1806/2018/QD-XHNV dated June 29, 2018 of

University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

6. Changes in the training process (if any): Extension document No. 1694/QD-XHNV-DT dated August 11, 2021, from the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi; Decision No. 3005/QD-XHNV dated October 12, 2022, of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Hanoi, on adjusting the title of the doctoral dissertation of the research student.

7. Thesis Title: Gender Equality in Family Decision-Making Among Ethnic Minority Groups in Vietnam (Case Study of the Dao Ethnic Group in Lang Son and the Cham Ethnic Group in Ninh Thuan)

8. Major: Sociology 9. Code: 9310301

10. Scientific Supervisors: 1. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha

2. Dr. Tran Thi Hong

11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis:

This study investigates the current situation and factors influencing gender equality in decision-making within Dao ethnic families in Lang Son and Cham ethnic families in Ninh Thuan. Based on this, it proposes several recommendations to enhance gender equality in decision-making within these two ethnic groups.

Gender equality in family decisions among the Dao and Cham ethnic groups.

This dissertation employs a combination of sociological methods, including document analysis, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions.

Based on approaches from modernization theory, resource theory, cultural approach, gender approach, and analysis of relevant literature on gender equality and decision-making in families in general and ethnic minority families in particular, this thesis constructs an analytical framework on factors influencing gender equality in decision-making within Dao and Cham ethnic minority families.
This study analyzes the current state of gender equality in decision-making within Dao and Cham ethnic families across various sectors, including economic, family life, kinship, and community relationships.
Analyze and identify the factors influencing gender equality in jobs related to the economic sector and jobs related to family life, kinship, and community relations.

This study compares the state of gender equality in decision-making within Dao and Cham ethnic families, highlighting similarities and differences in decision-making practices within these two groups.
Using logistic multivariate regression analysis to understand the factors influencing gender equality in family decisions among the Dao and Cham ethnic groups.
Verify the empirical hypotheses derived from modernization theory and resource theory in the research of this dissertation.
This study provides further information on the current situation and factors influencing gender equality in kinship decision-making within Dao and Cham ethnic families. It analyzes qualitative data on family decision-making processes.
4.3. Conclusion of the thesis
Decision-making in economic and family life, and family relationships.
In ethnic minority families, the hierarchy and community tend towards equality. However, there are still families where decision-making power regarding household matters is still heavily skewed towards one gender.
Factors such as ethnicity, women's education level, equal income for men and women, women/both men being named on property ownership documents, both men and women managing the family's shared finances, and participation in gender equality training increase the likelihood of gender equality in decision-making related to the family's economic affairs.
Ethnic factors, the role of both men and women in managing the family's shared finances, and the age of men significantly influence gender equality in a number of decisions related to family life, kinship, and community.
12. Directions for further research:

Further research into decision-making processes within ethnic minority families is needed to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the reasons and factors influencing gender equality within these families. The research should not only focus on identifying the primary decision-makers within the family but also consider indicators reflecting men's and women's perceptions and attitudes towards these decisions, as well as their views on gender equality in family decision-making.
In the context of Industry 4.0, information technology has impacted every aspect of family life. Access to and use of information technology is also a resource that strengthens the decision-making voice of men and women in the family, especially in ethnic minority families. The role of this factor has largely remained unmeasured; therefore, in future research, the doctoral student aims to investigate the accessibility and use of information technology by men and women in ethnic minority families.
13. Publications related to the dissertation:

Tran Thi Thanh Loan, (2020), “Decision-making rights between husband and wife in some shopping activities of Cham (Ninh Thuan) and Dao (Lang Son) ethnic families”, Implementing gender equality in ethnic minority areas of Vietnam, Social Sciences Publishing House, Hanoi, pp. 276-294.
Tran Thi Thanh Loan, (2020), “The elements affect the join of wives in making decision in production/ business at Cham people's families (Ninh Thuan province) today”,
2020 International Conference Proceedings: Gender Roles in the Modern Family, Thanh Nien Publishing House, Hanoi, pp. 145-157.
Tran Thi Thanh Loan, (2021), “Factors affecting the wife's participation in economic decision-making in Cham ethnic families (Ninh Thuan) today”, Journal of Family and Gender Studies (3), pp.28-40.
Tran Thi Thanh Loan, (2021), “The current state of gender equality in decisions on community activities in Dao ethnic families - Lang Son”, Journal of Family and Gender Studies, (4), pp.61-72.
Tran Thi Thanh Loan, (2021), “Decision–making right of husband and wife over family expenditures among Cham ethnic group in Ninh Thuan and Dao ethnic group in Lang Son, Viet Nam”, RC06-VSA International conference The family in Modern and Gobal Societies: Persistence and Change – Lens from Vietnam”, Knowledge Publishing House, pp. 244-263.
Tran Thi Thanh Loan, (2022), “Gender equality in decision – making power in property division in Cham (Ninh Thuan) and Dzao (Lang Son) families in Viet Nam”. The first international conference on the issues of social sciences and humanities University of
Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi National University Publishing House, p. 888-908.
 

University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

August 11th, 2021 by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities,
VNU; Decision No. 3005/QD-XHNV dated October 12th, 2022 of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi on adjusting the title of the PhD thesis topic of the PhD student.

Nam (A study of the Dao ethnic group in Lang Son and the Cham ethnic group in Ninh Thuan)

2. Ph.D. Tran Thi Hong

Research on the situation and factors affecting gender equality in family decisions of the Dao ethnic group in Lang Son and the Cham ethnic group in Ninh Thuan. On that basis, some recommendations are proposed to strengthen gender equality in family decisions of these two ethnic groups.

Gender equality in family decisions of the Dao ethnic group and the Cham ethnic group.

The thesis used: Document analysis method; Methods of in-depth interviews; Methods of group discussions.

4.1. The main conclusions of the thesis
Based on the approach according to modernization theory, resource theory, cultural approach, gender approach, analysis of literature related to gender equality and decision rights in the family in general and minimum data for ethnic minority families in particular, the thesis builds an analytical framework on factors affecting gender equality in decisions in Dao and Cham ethnic families.
Analysis of the current status of gender equality in decisions in the Dao and Cham families in terms of economic, family life, kinship and community relationships.
Analyzing and pointing out the factors affecting gender equality in jobs related to the economic field and jobs related to family life and kinship and community relationships.
Comparing the status of gender equality in decisions in the Dao and Cham families; at the same time, it shows the similarities and differences in decision making in the families of these two ethnic groups.
4.2. New contributions of the thesis
Using multivariable logistic regression analysis method to understand the factors affecting gender equality in decisions in families of Dao and Cham ethnic groups.
Testing of experimental hypotheses drawn from modernization and resource theory in the research of the thesis topic.
Providing more information on the status and factors affecting gender equality in deciding kinship relationships in the families of the Dao and Cham ethnic groups. Analyzing qualitative data on family decision making
4.3. Conclusion of the thesis
Decision making in the economic and family life spheres, kinship and community relations in ethnic minority families tend to be equal. Besides, there are still families where the decision on family affairs is still biased towards one gender.
Factors such as Ethiopian, education of women, men and women with equal income, women/both men and women who are named on the land ownership documents, both men and women who manage the family's common money have participated in training on gender equality, increasing the possibility of gender equality in deciding some jobs related to the family's economic sector.
Ethnic factors, both men and women who manage the family's common money, and men's age have a significant influence on gender equality in some decisions related to family life, kinship and community relations.
12. Future research directions

Continue to research more deeply on the decision-making process in ethnic minority families to get more complete information on reasons and factors affecting gender equality in ethnic minority families.
In the research process, it is not only about finding out who decides the main tasks in the family, but also paying attention to indicators showing the feelings and attitudes of men/women about that decision-making, as well as questions about their views on gender equality in family decisions.
In the context of technology 4.0, information technology has affected every corner of family life. The ability to access and use information technology is also a resource that strengthens the decisive voice of men/women in the family, especially in ethnic minority families. Almost the role of this factor has not been measured, so in the upcoming studies, the researchers aim to understand the accessibility and use of information technology by men and women in ethnic minority families.
13. Thesis-related publications

Tran Thi Thanh Loan, (2020), “The right to decide between husband and wife in some shopping activities of Cham (Ninh Thuan) and Dao (Lang Son) families”, Realizing gender equality in ethnic minority areas of Vietnam, Publishing House, Science Social Studies, Hanoi, p. 276-294.
Tran Thi Thanh Loan, (2020), “The elements affect the join of wives in making decision in production/ business at Cham people's families (Ninh Thuan province) today”, 2020 international conference proceedings: Gender roles in the modern family, Publishing House
Youth, Hanoi, pp. 145-157.
Tran Thi Thanh Loan, (2021), “Factors affecting the wife's participation in economic decisions in the Cham family (Ninh Thuan) today”, Journal of Family and Gender Studies (3), p.28- 40.
Tran Thi Thanh Loan, (2021), “The reality of gender equality in decisions on community activities in Dao families - Lang Son”, Journal of Gender and Family Studies, (4), pp.61-72.
Tran Thi Thanh Loan, (2021), “Decision–making right of husband and wife over family expenditures among Cham ethnic group in Ninh Thuan and Dao ethnic group in Lang Son, Viet Nam”, RC06-VSA International conference The family in Modern and Gobal Societies: Persistence and Change – Lens from Vietnam”, Knowledge Publishing House, pp. 244-263.
Tran Thi Thanh Loan, (2022), “Gender equality in decision – making power in property division in Cham (Ninh Thuan) and Dzao (Lang Son) families in Viet Nam”. The first international conference on the issues of social sciences and humanities University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi National University Publishing House, p. 888-908.