Latest study sheds light on COVID-19 impacts on quality of governance and public services
The 2021 Vietnam Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index (PAPI) Report, released on May 10, shows improvements in basic infrastructure as citizens experienced better roads, water supply and sanitation, while many respondents reported less crime as lockdowns and travel restrictions may have helped improve law and order. There were, however, gaps in the national pandemic response with increasing governance challenges, concerning shifts in indicators tied to COVID-19, and a deterioration in household economic confidence.
Fatal child abuse case necessitates a stronger protection system for children
Vietnam's current law has so far identified acts of child abuse and at the same time devised penalties for violators. However, it seems not enough to guarantee the safety for children. According to experts, the alarming child abuse in the country is attributable to several causes, such as misconception of child discipline, social indifference of child violence, and light penalties for perpetrators.