INTERNATIONAL INSIGHTS FOR STRENGTHENING OPERATIONS OF THE VIETNAM WOMEN’S UNION IN THE NEW ERA

Abstract

In the context of the Communist Party and the State of Vietnam promoting streamlined administrative reforms, this article analyzes international experiences to suggest directions for reforming the structure and operations of the Vietnam Women’s Union. The research adopts a comparative case study and policy analysis approach, focusing on three models: the All-China Women’s Federation, women’s organizations in the Philippines, and the Korean Women’s Associations United (KWAU). The Chinese experience demonstrates the effectiveness of a tightly structured organization but also reveals an overly bureaucratized and politicized system. In contrast, the Philippines stands out with a dynamic civil society model, where women’s organizations act both as policy advocates and as service and communication providers. The KWAU model in South Korea emphasizes professional policy advocacy and institutional reform based on evidence. Drawing from these three models, the article proposes five suggestions for the Vietnam Women’s Union: enhancing its real representative; reforming organizational structure and operational methods; developing capacity for analyzing and criticizing policy; strengthening social linkages and strategic partnerships; and maintaining political alignment while expanding space for innovative thinking on gender policy.