A/HRC/16/45/Add.2 14. While recognizing socio-economic disparities between population groups, the Government explained the inequalities as resulting solely from the geographical remoteness of many ethnic minorities and poor infrastructural development rather than from intentional discrimination. It pointed out that policies are aimed at strengthening equity, union and mutual support among ethnic groups; racial discrimination and division of any kind are prohibited. 15. Discrimination is nevertheless identified as a social problem by non-governmental analysts. The Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment, a nongovernmental organization, has surveyed the media and found frequent use of stereotypes and misperceptions in coverage of ethnic minority issues that commonly stigmatize them as backward, passive, ignorant and superstitious.3 The media reportedly commonly portray the causes of minority poverty as lying in internal factors, such as early marriage, high birth rates, drug and alcohol problems, laziness and dependency on Government support. External factors such as inappropriate policies, the harmful effects of socio-economic programmes and environmental destruction are rarely mentioned. Government agencies involved in implementing policies to support ethnic minorities in poverty reduction and hunger eradication told the independent expert that backwardness in production methods, low levels of education and superstitious practices were realities and challenges that needed to be addressed to help the development of ethnic minority people; they were not stigma. 16. It is possible that such views articulated by the Government may negatively influence public perceptions of ethnic minorities and lead to discriminatory treatment. Economic development and growth have brought relative prosperity to the urban population and some rural communities, including those (generally ethnic Kinh) benefiting from the introduction of such commercial crops as coffee and rubber. In addition to income disparities and geographic remoteness, growing social gaps between majority and ethnic minorities are evident and could prove extremely difficult to redress, further reducing the potential for the upward mobility of minorities. Ethnic minority women 17. Consultations with the Viet Nam Women’s Union revealed the particular challenges confronting minority women because of their ethnic identity and gender. Gendered social customs and practices in minority societies deprive them of decision-making power. Their education is traditionally a lower priority than that of boys, and their opportunities, both within and beyond their communities, are consequently fewer. 18. Despite national policies and laws requiring gender equality, including the Constitution, the Law on Gender Equality and the Marriage and Family Law, in some communities men customarily control assets, including livestock, which may result in women becoming more vulnerable while bearing a heavier burden of supporting families in poverty. Such customs are contrary to the 2003 Land Law and the 2004 Decree, under which women and men have equal land use rights, and land use certificates of married couples must bear both names. Some minorities, including the Ede and the Mnong communities, have distinctive matrilineal systems in which inheritance is passed through daughters, and the women have the decision-making power. However, the informal practice of some authorities not to recognize women’s land use rights in land tenure certificates or women’s leadership roles have reportedly undermined these traditions. Men are more likely 3 6 Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment, “Representation of ethnic minorities on mass media”, available from www.isee.org.vn/upload/files/representation-of-ethnic-minorities-onthe-mass-me_1278495749.pdf.