Re-thinking development, environment, and women in Viet Nam : building a feminist sustainable development framework

Abstract

This thesis, grounded in feminist research and analysis, develops an alternative to the orthodox model of economic development. Three interconnected strands form the core of the thesis: economic development, ecologically sustainable development, and women.

The thesis describes the ways in which Viet Nam's economic reform impacts on women and the environment. Analysis of Vietnamese policy documents on these themes within the framework of the UN World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland Commission) reveals fundamental flaws in both the framework and Vietnamese policies: women are marginalized, and the nature of growth is misunderstood.

Using theoretical literature on these themes, a holistic and transformative framework based on equality and non-exploitation is developed and applied to three specific aspects of Vietnamese society: education, growth, and labour. Alternative directions are suggested for Vietnamese policy-makers. Applying this feminist sustainable development framework will also solve the pressing problems of poverty and population.