Decree to promote gender equality

Decree 55/2009/ND-CP regulates fines for gender equality violations in multiple sectors including politics, business, labour, education and training, science and technology, culture, information, sports health care, and within the family.

The decree was issued to implement the Law o­n Gender Equality, which was passed two years ago, according to Nguyen Huu Quang, deputy director of the Legal Department under the Ministry of Health.

According to the decree, gender equality violations can be fined from VND200,000 to VND40 million (US$11-2,200).

Violators could see their business licenses revoked and foreigners found in violation of the law could be expelled from the country.

In the political sector, those who try to prevent candidates from running for the National Assembly, People’s Councils or any other positions in other organisations based o­n their gender will be fined from VND3 to 5 million ($110 - 270).

Anyone who sets regulations that discriminate based o­n gender discrimination will be fined from VND20 to 40 million ($1,100 - 2,200).

Parties found preventing others from establishing an enterprise based o­n their gender or found operating their business for gender prejudice will be fined from VND3 to 5 million ($110 - $270).

Those who urge others to have an abortion for gender selection purposes will be fined from VND3 to 5 million (US$170 - 270).

Violations found

HCM City’s Department of Health recently evaluated ultrasound results at many public and private hospitals.

According to Nguyen Minh Hung, chief inspector of the department, many incidents of hospitals revealing the gender of unborn babies to prospective parents were still found.

Interviews with 19 pregnant women at Agency No 4 of the HCM City University of Medicine and Pharmaceuticals revealed that all of them knew the gender of their unborn babies.

Thien Tam Maternity Hospital in District 12 performed an abortion of an eight-week-old foetus, while the law o­nly allows private clinics to perform abortions of foetus’ less than six weeks old.

Anh Dung Maternity House, also in District 12, performed illegal abortions without completing any clinical records.

According to To Thi Kim Hoa, head of the city Population and Family Planning Service, gender imbalance among infants in HCM City in the first six months of the year was at an alarming level: 115 boys per 100 girls. The acceptable rate is 103 to 107 boys per 100 girls.