Women paid less?

Male/Female divide

My friend in Vietnam mentioned in a conversation that females in Vietnam, especially in the north, earn about 50% less than their male counterparts. This is especially true in these professions: school teacher, university professor and female trainer. He was rather taken aback at this startling revelation. He's lived in Europe for most of his life. Gender inequality is rather foreign to him.

So I went on a Google hunt and found an article to prove the statement. The statistics in the article show a smaller wage gap between males and females, but it does prove a point. The Vietnamese workforce comprises a high percentage of women, higher than any other country in the world. Yet, their efforts do not seem to be appreciated in monetary terms.

Culturally, Vietnam is very much Asian. In the past, Asian women were considered second class, compared to men. However, Communism in China changed all that. Men and women are equal. Although Vietnam adopted Chinese Communism and still runs under that system, it seems that the average family still follows the traditional mindset.

You can take a country boy to the city, but you cannot take the country out of the city boy.

This statement rings true anywhere in the world. Some people change and adapt. Others do not. I suppose Vietnamese mindset has not changed, despite Communism. Women throw equal weight in terms of contribution to the economy, yet they are paid less. Coming from a Western standpoint, this is unfair. Do Vietnamese women feel this way? Perhaps quietly they do but do not have an outlet to express themselves, unless they choose to work for the private sector.

Gender inequality cannot be changed overnight. It must take both external and internal forces working together to change generations of mindset. Can we do something about it? It is certainly worth a try.

Here's to change for the better!

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