Implementation on Gender Equality to Achieving SDGs 5: A Case Study of the Garment Industry & Better Work Vietnam

Abstract

Gender based violence and sexual harassment is very often encountered and experienced by female workers in any field of work. Vietnam is one of the Asian countries that has a fairly high level of female workers and actively participates in the country's economy. Millions of female workers in Vietnam have the chance to advance their special and economic status through work in the garment industry. Even so, there are still many women workers rights that are not obtained properly. Being paid low wages and being in an unsafe work environment is prone to gender based violence. Vietnam itself is one of the countries that utilizes a low-cost labor force, which is mostly staffed by female workers who have low skills. This research aims to analyze “how the garment industry and Better Work in Vietnam implemented gender equality in their process to ensure and achieve SDGs Goal 5?”. This research using a descriptive qualitative research methodology. This research focuses on the analysis of actions taken by the garment industry and the non-profit organization Better Work in Vietnam to achieve gender equality. This research resulted with several programs that have been carried out by Better Work Vietnam to improve working conditions and the competitiveness of the garment industry in Vietnam. Better Work Vietnam is also working together with ILO Global Supply Chain project to resolve gender equality and sexual harassment in workplaces at national and provincial levels.