This evaluation publication consists of four articles depicting current challenges and approaches to incorporate gender equality and human rights perspective into evaluations. The articles are written by UN Women bursary recipients for 2011 Sri Lankan Evaluation Association International Conference.

The overall aim of this research is to provide reliable estimate of the economic costs of domestic violence in Viet Nam. Data show that the economic repercussions of intimate partner violence that can be felt at both the household and macro-economic level. Women and families that experience domestic violence, for instance, incur costs when they access services such as medical treatment, and legal and counseling support. They also experience lost earnings due to their lower productivity and missing out on work as a result of the violence they face.

As a result of this research, a critical mass of information and specialized knowledge on the costing of domestic violence in Viet Nam has been provided to the Government and other relevant stakeholders currently advocating for a multi-sectoral coordination mechanism to be put in place to ensure domestic violence cases are better prevented and addressed when they occur.

Qualitative Research in Hai Duong and Dong Thap
----

Background

Viet Nam’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2007 has brought with it an increase in both opportunities and challenges for women and gender equality. The impacts of trade liberalization policies affect men and women differently due to the differential access to and control of economic and social resources, and decision-making, as well as differences in gender roles, especially the gendered division of labour. As such, women may find an increase in employment opportunities, or may suffer increased unemployment with the restructuring of the labour market. Even where new employment opportunities exist, it is critical to address the quality of that employment, and the impacts on other areas such as the provision of childcare and household gender relations. Economic integration has the potential to advance as well as constrain women’s empowerment and gender equality in the family,community and workplace.