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| On October 5, 2023, at the Presidential Palace, President Vo Van Thuong had a friendly meeting with the delegation of the Vietnam Association of Women Entrepreneurs (VAWE) on the occasion of Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Day October 13 and Vietnamese Women's Day October 20. (Source: VNA) |
Bright spot on gender equality
With the attention of the Party and State, in recent times, Vietnam has been assessed as one of the 10 countries that best implement goal number 5 on promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls in the United Nations' sustainable development goals. Our country has achieved many positive results in narrowing the gender gap in many areas; in 2023, Vietnam increased 11 ranks in gender equality compared to 20221 (from 83rd to 72nd out of 146 countries participating in the ranking).
More and more women are taking up important positions in the political system. The proportion of women participating in Party committees at all levels in all terms has increased; the proportion of female deputies in the 15th National Assembly reached 30.26% - higher than the world and regional average, ranking first in the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Union Council.
More than 40% of scientists in Vietnam are women. The percentage of businesses owned by women is 26.5% - among the highest in Southeast Asia. Vietnam is one of the leading countries in the percentage of women participating in peacekeeping activities at 16% (compared to the average rate of about 10% in other countries).
In the field of sports, for the first time in history, the Vietnamese women's football team won a ticket to the final round of the 2023 Women's World Cup, showing that women are increasingly integrating into the top playgrounds of world sports...
Sad reality
However, violence against women and children is still serious and is a leading obstacle in promoting gender equality and building a developed, progressive and civilized society in Vietnam. The results of the 2019 National Survey on Violence Against Women in Vietnam and related research and statistical reports show that nearly 63% of women have suffered at least one form of violence by their husbands in their lifetime.
According to incomplete statistics, nationwide, on average, every day, 64 women, 10 children and 7 elderly people are victims of domestic violence (2020). Women who have experienced violence by their husbands or others are 3 times more likely to have mental health problems than women who have never experienced violence. Women who have experienced physical and/or sexual violence spend about 9,427,000 VND as a direct result of violence, equivalent to 25% of their annual income. On average, an estimated 100,507 billion VND, equivalent to 1.81% of the national GDP (2018), is lost each year due to violence against women, leading to loss of labor productivity...
Under the impact of Covid-19, the pressure of illness, economic pressure and difficulties in life have caused violence against women and girls to increase, exacerbating existing challenges and creating new threats. This urges all parties, agencies, organizations, individuals and social communities to join hands, coordinate actions, ensure social security for people and invest resources to promote gender equality and eliminate gender-based violence.
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| Delegates attend the communication event on prevention and response to gender-based violence “Join hands, change together” in Hanoi, November 25. (Source: CPV) |
More drastic action is needed.
As an organization representing the voice of Vietnamese women, the Vietnam Women's Union always strives to carry out social mobilization activities to implement gender equality and prevent and respond to gender-based violence. The Union at all levels has focused resources and organized many practical activities, focusing on ensuring social security for women and children. Typical programs and projects include "Godmother", "Accompanying women in border areas", "Implementing gender equality and solving urgent problems of women and children" in ethnic minority and mountainous areas...
On November 25, in Hanoi, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union organized a program to respond to the Month of Action for Gender Equality and Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence in 2023 with the theme "Joining hands, changing together". Through the event, the Central Committee of the Union mobilized the attention and support of all levels, sectors, agencies, organizations, individuals, families, and communities to ensure social security and enhance the empowerment of women and girls.
Speaking at the program, President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union Ha Thi Nga emphasized that empowering women, investing in gender equality and preventing violence against women and children has become more important than ever, bringing great benefits to women, families, society and the national economy. Close cooperation and coordination are necessary to take more drastic actions to prevent and effectively respond to gender-based violence.
The event is even more meaningful as it is held on November 25 - chosen by the United Nations as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
During the Month of Action for Gender Equality and Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence in 2023 with the theme "Ensuring social security, empowering and creating opportunities for women and girls to achieve gender equality and eliminate gender-based violence", the Vietnam Women's Union also organized a discussion on "Expanding the coverage of maternity benefits in Vietnam", contributing to ensuring social security; Building a CAM Podcast series with guests - social activists sharing views and perspectives on gender equality and gender-based violence, contributing to spreading gender equality messages...
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