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| Mother and her children's happiness__Photo: Thanh Dat/VNA |
The Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) Central Committee organised a seminar themed “Assessment of a number of provisions on women’s rights in marriage and family and proposals for amendment and supplementation to the 2014 Law on Marriage and Family” in Vinh Long province on September 30.
More than 10 years of implementing the 2014 Law on Marriage and Family have reaffirmed fundamental principles of Vietnam’s marriage and family regime, including voluntary, progressive and monogamous marriage, equality between husband and wife, and protection of the legitimate rights and interests of women and children. However, practical implementation has exposed a continuing gap between rights recognised by law and the ability of women and children to exercise and protect those rights in practice.
The issue was highlighted at a seminar organised by the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) Central Committee in Vinh Long province on September 30 to assess provisions concerning women’s rights in marriage and family and propose amendments and supplements to the 2014 Law on Marriage and Family.
According to VWU Vice President Nguyen Thi Minh Huong, shortcomings emerging during implementation require further study and appropriate legal solutions.
Experience from VWU branches across the country indicates that protecting women’s rights in marriage and family cannot depend on legal provisions alone. It requires a coordinated approach combining improved policies, effective law enforcement, accessible support services and greater capacity and awareness among those responsible for applying the law.
VWU branches have over recent years provided legal information and advice, supported women in marriage and family matters, conducted grassroots conciliation and participated in protecting the legitimate rights and interests of women and children. Their experience has provided practical evidence of areas where the existing legal framework needs improvement.
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| Delegates at the semimar pose for a group photo__Photo: https://www.hoilhpn.org.vn |
Another issue is the need to ensure consistency between the Law on Marriage and Family and other legislation directly affecting women and children.
A representative of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Vinh Long province proposed that amendments to the 2014 Law on Marriage and Family be coordinated with the Civil Code and laws on domestic violence prevention and control, children, gender equality, land, civil status and legal aid. Greater consistency among these laws could help simplify procedures and provide clearer and more timely avenues of assistance, particularly for women and children in vulnerable circumstances.
Drawing on local experience, the expert proposed six groups of issues for amendment and improvement. Underlying the proposals is the principle that protecting women’s legitimate rights is closely connected with family stability and broader social development.
The discussions also pointed to a distinction between formal legal equality and substantive protection of rights. Establishing equal rights in legislation is essential, but it is not sufficient if women face practical obstacles in accessing, exercising or defending those rights.
Future amendments should therefore focus not only on recognising rights but also on ensuring that women and children can effectively use legal and support mechanisms when their rights are threatened or violated.
The proposals and practical experiences gathered in Vinh Long will be used by the VWU Central Committee in its policy advocacy, social critique and legislative advisory work concerning amendments to the 2014 Law on Marriage and Family. The overarching direction is to move from formal guarantees towards more effective protection, with the rights and safety of women and children placed at the centre of the legal framework.- (VLLF)
