Recognizing Vietnam's contributions to promoting gender equality and women's empowerment

The intergenerational forum "Women and Gender Equality in the New Era" was held this morning (March 25) in Hanoi, aiming to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action 2025 and 10 years of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The forum was jointly organized by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union (VWU) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) Vietnam, with the participation of Ms. Truong My Hoa, former Vice President, former President of the Vietnam Women's Union, former President of the National Committee for the Advancement of Women in Vietnam, Head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the 4th World Conference on Women of the United Nations in Beijing in 1995.

Delegates attending the Forum take a souvenir photo. (Photo: Le An)

The event also had representatives of leaders of some central departments, ministries and branches; former female leaders who participated in the Beijing Conference in 1995; representatives of non-governmental organizations, United Nations agencies, embassies and international organizations in Hanoi; representatives of leaders of the Women's Union, Departments of Home Affairs of some provinces and cities and outstanding youth and students in some localities and universities representing the young generation.

Notably, the Forum had about 200 delegates, including 6 guest delegates who were representatives of the generation of female leaders who participated in the 4th World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995; representatives of the Women's Union/female leaders of some ministries/current female business leaders, the next generation implementing the Beijing Platform for Action; representatives of young female leaders, benefiting from the achievements and continuing the tradition.

The intergenerational forum “Women and Gender Equality in the New Era” was held to recognize the contributions of Vietnamese women to economic and social development, affirming achievements in promoting gender equality and empowering women over 30 years of Vietnam implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

At the same time, the event recommended solutions to promote the role of women and the young generation to promote progress in gender equality in the country's new era.

Speaking at the opening of the event, President of the Vietnam Women's Union Nguyen Thi Tuyen affirmed that in Vietnam, gender equality has always been identified by the Party and State as one of the great goals and has always paid attention to implementing it throughout the process of building and developing the country.

This has been reflected in Party documents and the Constitution and laws of the State. Women and men are given equal conditions and opportunities in all areas of social life, from politics, economics to culture and society.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyen said that over the past 30 years, Vietnam has been determined to realize the goals of the Beijing Platform for Action. All 12 areas in the Platform have been seriously implemented by Vietnam and have achieved positive results, notably the contents of "Women and poverty", "Women and health", "Women and economy", "Women and environment", and "Girls".

Gender equality is integrated into many national target programs such as: National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas; Sustainable Poverty Reduction; New Rural Development; Promoting Gender Mainstreaming in Law Making and Enforcement... contributing to raising awareness and changing behavior on gender equality and women's advancement.

President of the Vietnam Women's Union Nguyen Thi Tuyen, delivered the opening speech at the Forum. (Photo: Le An)

These efforts have helped to improve the role and status of Vietnamese women. Currently, the proportion of female representatives in the National Assembly is always high in the Asia-Pacific region (30.26%); Vietnamese women account for 46.8% of the country's workforce; the female labor force participation rate is 62.4%; the proportion of women who own businesses is 28.2%; 14.4% of Vietnam's peacekeeping force is higher than the United Nations average of 10.2% and currently the whole country is strongly implementing the dissemination of digital knowledge, including for women and girls.

Ms. Tuyen emphasized: “Over the past three decades, the Vietnam Women's Union has always played a pioneering role in promoting gender equality and empowering women through implementing many programs and activities at all levels of the Union.

In terms of international integration, the Vietnam Women's Union actively participates and contributes to international forums such as UN Women, Global Women's Summit, ASEAN Women's Leadership Summit, APEC Women and Economic Forum, Asia-Europe Women's Forum, etc.

Currently, the Vietnam Women's Union has relations and cooperation with about 300 organizations from more than 60 countries and territories to exchange experiences, mobilize resources, strengthen cooperation and connections to enhance women's empowerment.

Although there are many great opportunities to promote their potential and creativity, the President of the Vietnam Women's Union also said that women also face challenges such as poverty, disease, inequality and the risk of falling behind in the digital age.

According to Ms. Tuyen, gender prejudice and gender stereotypes are still the biggest challenges affecting women and girls in creating opportunities for them to participate in different areas of society such as: gender-based violence, limited access to reproductive health rights and services, limited participation rates in leadership and STEM fields, limited social protection...

Over the years, the Vietnam Women's Union and UN Women in Vietnam have coordinated to develop and implement many programs and activities that have made important contributions to the achievements of promoting gender equality and empowering women in Vietnam.

"Today's event is one of the coordinated activities to recognize the important role of women's contributions to Vietnam's achievements in gender equality and women's empowerment in 30 years of implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action; discuss and identify new challenges and solutions to promote gender equality in various fields, especially digital transformation and STEM," said Ms. Tuyen.

Ms. Caroline Nyamayemombe, UN Women Representative in Vietnam, speaking at the Forum. (Photo: Le An)

Ms. Caroline Nyamayemombe, UN Women Representative in Vietnam, said that the promise of the Beijing Platform for Action will only be fulfilled when all women and girls, regardless of age, background or circumstances, enjoy their full rights, autonomy and opportunities with dignity.

“Together, across generations, with government leadership and the active participation of young people, we can make gender inequality history,” she said. “Thirty years ago, many things were just dreams for women, but today they are a reality.”

Sharing here, Ms. Pauline Tamesis, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Vietnam, said that women's leadership is essential for peace and sustainable development.

“We stand firm in our principle that women’s rights are human rights. We work with allies and trailblazers… Let us seize this moment to demonstrate that advancing gender equality is not only a moral imperative, but also a catalyst for national progress and global solidarity,” she affirmed.

Delegates share at the Forum. (Photo: Le An)

At the Forum, delegates focused on discussing topics through two discussion sessions: The role of women in promoting gender equality through the ages; gender equality in the new era of the country; the role of young people in promoting gender equality...

Within the framework of the event, there was also an exhibition space with the theme "Women and gender equality in the new era" with images and media publications about some achievements and issues arising in implementing gender equality in Vietnam today.

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women of the United Nations held in Beijing in 1995 with the participation of 189 countries to commit to realizing the concerns and rights of women worldwide by the end of the 20th century.

By adopting 12 focus areas for improvement to achieve equality, from eradicating poverty and promoting the right to education to combating violence and improving women's rights, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action not only sets clear goals but also provides a concrete action plan to achieve gender equality and improve women's rights worldwide.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ghi-nhan-dong-gop-cua-viet-nam-trong-viec-thuc-day-binh-dang-gioi-va-tang-quyen-nang-cho-phu-nu-308767.html