Barriers to Accessing Educational Services for Female Students in Ethnic Minority Areas: A Study of Selected Countries and Vietnam

Nguyen Thi Hoai An, Dr., Do Ngoc Linh — Sun, 31 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The right to access education is one of the fundamental human rights, widely recognized in international conventions. Many countries around the world, including Vietnam, have continuously improved their legal systems to establish an equal legal environment that facilitates access to education for both men and women. However, due to their unique characteristics, ethnic minority girls still face double discrimination and inequality, which is a consequence of the intersection of gender stereotypes, patriarchy, generational barriers, and disparities in development between countries and regions within a country. Restrictions on access to education directly and indirectly impact on the quality of the workforce and social stratification. Through a literature review of research in several countries, this study aims to deeply identify the barriers to educational access for ethnic minority girls, focusing on five aspects: (i) Theoretical basis; (ii) Economic barriers; (iii) Socio-cultural barriers; (iv) Geographical distance and infrastructure; and (v) Institutions and policies. Finally, the research proposes recommendations to firmly ensure the right to education for ethnic minority girls in the new context.

GPH-International Journal of Educational Research

Barriers to Accessing Educational Services for Female Students in Ethnic Minority Areas: A Study of Selected Countries and Vietnam