The role of ethnic minority women in sustainable rural economic development

Abstract

This paper focuses on analyzing the role of ethnic minority women in sustainable rural economic development in Vietnam in the context of integration and climate change. Drawing on theoretical frameworks such as women's empowerment, Gender and Development (GAD) approaches, and policy analysis, the paper argues that ethnic minority women are not only the main labor force in agriculture, handicrafts, and community-based tourism, but also key custodians of indigenous knowledge and traditional culture. However, they still face numerous institutional, cultural, and technological barriers that limit or render their participation invisible. The paper critically examines current policies, highlighting the gap between policy design and implementation, and presents practical case studies from Hà Giang and Đắk Lắk provinces to underscore women's agency when empowered. Based on these findings, the paper proposes concrete solutions to enhance the voice, representation, and economic capacity of ethnic minority women in sustainable rural development models.