Public Sector Gender Equality Index: 5 Areas, 10 Core Indicators
Workshop: “Promoting Gender Equality in the Public Sector” This information was presented by Dr. Lương Thu Hiền, Director of the Center for Gender and Women’s Rights Studies (GWR) and Vice Director of the Institute for Human Rights at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, on behalf of the research team at the workshop "Promoting Gender Equality in the Public Sector."
The index is expected to serve as an objective measurement tool, enabling Vietnam’s political system to address gender issues through clear, evidence-based data. It supports evidence-based policymaking and helps agencies at both central and local levels identify specific barriers and develop targeted interventions.
Dr. Lương Thu Hiền speaks at the workshop
The index was developed based on a review of leading international frameworks. From over 60 initial indicators, the research team selected 10 core indicators, grouped into 5 key areas that currently hinder women's advancement in the public sector:
- Cadre and personnel procedures
- Working environment
- Unpaid care burdens
- Social and cultural bias
- Bodily autonomy and anti-harassment mechanisms
Each indicator was selected based on five criteria: relevance, conceptual clarity, ability to reflect social change, measurability, and comparability over time.
In addition to the quantitative indicators, the tool includes a set of 47 in-depth interview questions for stakeholders. This mixed-methods approach helps uncover “invisible” barriers in the workplace, such as gender bias, traditional expectations, and limited access to complaint mechanisms.
The index aims to strengthen accountability across the political system, thereby enhancing the effective implementation of gender equality laws and policies in the public sector.
In the next phase, the research team will collaborate with Griffith University (Australia) to collect data from three central-level agencies and one province. Both quantitative and qualitative data will be integrated into a digital system for testing and refinement. At the same time, stakeholder consultation workshops will be conducted to review and supplement necessary content.
Gender equality cannot be achieved without concrete tools for measurement and evaluation. The development and piloting of this index mark an important step toward building a solid foundation for policies that promote women’s participation in leadership - contributing to a more equitable, effective, and sustainable public administration.
