Strengthening Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Vietnam
In a significant meeting held in Hà Nội on Tuesday, National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Thanh engaged with Caroline Nyamayemombe, UN Women Representative in Vietnam, and Michaela Bauer, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Vietnam. The central focus of the discussion was to enhance cooperation towards gender equality and the empowerment of women across the nation.
Commitment to Gender Equality
Vice Chairwoman Thanh commended the fruitful partnership between UN Women and Vietnam in formulating and executing policies aimed at achieving gender equality and addressing gender-based violence. She reassured that Vietnam stands firmly committed to advancing gender equality and empowering women, underscoring the tireless work of the National Assembly and the government to strengthen legal frameworks that integrate gender considerations into all socio-economic policies and plans.
New Developments for Vietnam in the International Arena
Starting January 1, 2025, Vietnam will officially hold a position on the UN Women Executive Board for the term 2025-2027. Thanh emphasized Vietnam’s aspiration to actively shape the programs of UN Women, aligning them with the common objectives of UN member states, particularly regarding the Sustainable Development Goals.
Advancement in Female Leadership
Vietnam is experiencing notable progress in female representation in leadership roles, with women now holding over 30% of the seats in the National Assembly. Despite these advancements, Thanh acknowledged the persistent challenges that remain, particularly in enhancing access to education, employment, and technological opportunities for women and girls in rural and disadvantaged areas.
International Advocacy for Gender Issues
As part of her participation at the upcoming 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York on March 10, Thanh plans to voice Vietnam’s concerns and proposals to accelerate the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. She aims to showcase Vietnam’s achievements and share valuable experiences in promoting gender equality and advancing women’s rights on a global stage.
Collaboration with UN Women
Thanh urged UN Women to maintain a strong collaborative relationship with the Vietnamese Government as outlined in the UN Women’s Strategy Note for Vietnam (2022-2026). She emphasized the importance of prioritizing programs that enable Vietnamese women to access science and technology, integrate digital tools, and enhance their skill sets for securing quality employment. Additionally, she called for intensified efforts to elevate women’s roles in politics, the economy, and society while supporting the implementation of Vietnam’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security.
UNICEF’s Role in Child Welfare
Furthermore, Thanh reaffirmed Vietnam’s recognition of UNICEF as a crucial partner in development, noting its long-standing contributions to the protection, education, and welfare of children in Vietnam. She encouraged UNICEF to mobilize additional resources to assist Vietnamese children, particularly those in climate-vulnerable and marginalized areas, and to strengthen their efforts in policy advice and capacity-building for officials in child-related sectors.
Acknowledgments from International Representatives
Nyamayemombe and Bauer applauded Vietnam’s steadfast focus on gender equality and child protection, which is evidently reflected in its policies and programs. They highlighted the importance of CSW69 in establishing ambitious global goals aimed at empowering women and girls everywhere.
They expressed confidence in the Vietnamese delegation, led by Thanh, to engage in fruitful discussions at CSW69 concerning critical issues, including the advancement of gender equality in governmental structures, formulating a national action plan to eradicate violence against women, fostering a fair transition to a green economy with skill development for green jobs, and ensuring equitable access for women to technology and economic opportunities.
The UN Women Representative conveyed her hope that Vietnam will spearhead global momentum for policy changes that foster a more inclusive and equitable environment for progress in science, technology, and innovation, ensuring that women and girls not only utilize technology but also play pivotal roles in shaping its future.
