[BODILY AUTONOMY OF WOMEN]

“Em la ke giu qua nhieu, cho cung qua nhieu, yeu cung qua lieu” (Nguoi dien – tlinh). With just one lyric, we can already sense how it captures the essence of women—those who are willing to sacrifice and give endlessly. Yet in society, what do they receive in return? Are their contributions truly acknowledged, or do they continue to face daily judgment and denial of the right to live life on their own terms? Now, let us join VSFA in exploring women’s bodily autonomy. 

From childhood to adulthood, girls are often taught that they must protect their bodies, behave modestly, and remember that no one has the right to touch or violate them—in other words, that they have the right to take ownership of themselves. But what does self-ownership truly mean? It is not merely about refusing unwanted physical contact; bodily autonomy also entails the full right to decide what one does with one’s own body—how one lives, studies, works, and shapes one’s life. No one has the authority to override those choices. Yet in today’s society, it is not difficult to encounter stories of young women being body-shamed, pressured into conforming to certain styles of dress, career paths, or lifestyles dictated by what “society” deems acceptable. This happens to everyone, whether an ordinary individual or a public figure—such as the young singer Billie Eilish, who was known for wearing loose, baggy clothing. When she later shared photos of herself in more form-fitting outfits, she faced intense backlash online, including the sexualization of her body and explicit slut-shaming. Social prejudice often forces people to conform to what is labeled as “normal” in order to be accepted, while personal preferences and individual choices are condemned as “abnormal,” “deviant,” or “morally corrupt.” At times, these pressures destabilize one’s sense of bodily autonomy and can directly affect mental well-being, leading to long-term consequences. In truth, such dynamics have existed in our society for generations. They can be seen as enduring legacies of feudal systems and mindsets. Ideas such as “tai gia tong phu, xuat gia tong phu, phu tu tong tu” (obedience to the father at home, to the husband after marriage, and to the son after the husband’s death) or “nam nu thu thu bat than” (men and women should not have physical contact) have become deeply ingrained in collective consciousness. While the status of women in the past—marked by silence and lack of social standing—has undeniably improved, and women today are more independent and self-determined, the persistence of outdated beliefs remains a significant challenge. Increasingly, women across generations demonstrate their ability to excel both professionally and domestically. Society may be more modern and developed, but dismantling deeply rooted patriarchal thinking is still difficult. These lingering ideologies often serve as triggers for hurtful remarks and harmful judgments directed at women, especially when amplified through social media. A striking example occurred on May 5, 2023, in Vinh Phuc, when a thief broke into a clothing shop and threatened the female owner with sexual assault. Instead of panicking, she calmly persuaded him to wear a condom, then seized the moment to scream for help and escape. Thanks to her quick thinking, she saved herself at the last moment. However, when CCTV footage of the incident circulated online, the woman was met with harsh and divided opinions—some accusing her of being flirtatious or of “seducing” the attacker—despite the fact that she was simply trying to survive. Such reactions severely violated her dignity and privacy. Similarly, casual rumors and remarks such as “Dressing like that, she must only care about partying and not studying,” or “Dating early means she’ll end up pregnant and bring shame to her family,” are commonplace. In many of these situations, those targeted often choose silence rather than speaking out or defending themselves. This tendency illustrates a critical reality: awareness of bodily autonomy and self-ownership remains insufficiently internalized in society today.  

You may not know this, but the famous rapper Nicki Minaj became pregnant as a teenager. She has shared that it was the most difficult experience she had ever gone through—so much so that it was even “traumatizing” (as she told Rolling Stone in 2014). In Vietnam, abortion is one of the practices that has been legalized, provided it is carried out in accordance with the law. However, in many countries around the world, abortion remains illegal and prohibited. There are various reasons for this, including moral considerations, population policies, religious beliefs, and other social factors. Overall, different states, territories, and nations hold their own perspectives and justifications regarding abortion. The view we most commonly encounter is that “abortion should not be allowed because of moral or health concerns.” Yet in reality, the decision to have an abortion should—and must—belong to the woman herself. We often assert that women have the right to bodily autonomy, but at the same time, we criticize them when they make choices that go against what “society” expects—abortion being a prime example. No one can deny that abortion is a serious matter and not a decision to be taken lightly. However, it requires careful consideration from multiple perspectives before deciding whether to continue or terminate a pregnancy—and before judging any woman for the decision she makes. We believe that no mother is incapable of loving her child. Maternal love is widely regarded as one of the most sacred and powerful forms of affection, surpassing all others we know. Yet not everyone is fortunate enough to meet their child. Many girls and women are forced to terminate pregnancies due to circumstances such as financial instability, social stigma, or an inability to raise a child. On the other hand, while banning abortion may contribute in part to protecting public health and social order, such prohibitions are also highly controversial. For example, when a woman becomes pregnant as a result of rape, but the laws of her country or territory do not allow abortion, she may be pushed into dangerous situations—such as traveling abroad to seek abortion services or resorting to unsafe methods. These choices can seriously harm her health, jeopardize her future fertility, and even threaten her life. We do not advocate for abortion. However, abortion—or any decision concerning a woman’s body—must be made by the woman herself. Society may possess the power to stigmatize, criticize, or shame an individual, but that does not grant it the right to force someone to act against their own will. 

To prevent unfortunate situations and to protect themselves, young women should equip themselves with thorough knowledge as well as essential life skills related to these issues. Desire, affection, and romantic relationships are not things to be ashamed of; we have every right to feel proud of ourselves and of our bodies. They are simply a “spice” of life—natural needs inherent to every human being. What truly matters is being well informed and maintaining strong self-awareness and self-protection, so as to minimize risks and avoid negative situations that may arise. 

Women always have the right to take pride in their bodies. This is the beautiful body bestowed upon us by nature, and we are fully entitled to claim ownership of it and to be proud of it. We may recall the story of Thuy Kieu in Truyen Kieu—the most renowned work of the great poet Nguyen Du. Kieu is portrayed as a beautiful, virtuous, graceful, and gentle young woman, whose beauty is so extraordinary that it makes even “flowers jealous and willows resentful.” Yet when she is sold into a brothel, all her noble qualities and exceptional talents are disregarded; she is seen merely as a “brothel woman,” nothing more than a “tool for making money.” Does this mean that a woman’s body becomes degraded only in the eyes of those who are themselves morally degraded? As literary scholar Tran Dinh Su once observed: “Awareness of one’s ‘body’ is awareness of the most private and most real dimension of human existence.” According to statistics, the word “than” (body/self) appears as many as 63 times in Truyen Kieu. This frequency underscores the importance of the concept of than, placing it on par with other central values such as tai (talent) and tam (heart/moral conscience). 

Our bodies are the very affirmation of our existence. When we truly love and protect ourselves, we create the foundation for nurturing our talents and cultivating our inner awareness—allowing both to grow more whole and refined each day. Therefore, to all our strong and resilient girls: do not hesitate to stand up and fight for yourselves. Your body belongs to you, and you have every right to proudly declare: “MY BODY, MY CHOICE.”  

Authors: Bao Ngoc, Cao Ann Le
Designer: Nguyen Tran Linh Nga
Translators: Bao Han, Tra My