Vietnamese and South African women together promote potential in national economic development

On the afternoon of August 16, the Vietnam Women's Union coordinated with the South African Embassy in Hanoi to organize a seminar on "The role of Vietnamese and South African women in the country's economic development: Building a partnership towards shared prosperity".

The seminar aims to enhance exchange and cooperation between women of the two countries, contributing to the practical celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and South Africa (December 22, 1993 - December 22, 2023) and South African Women's Day.

Phụ nữ Việt Nam-Nam Phi cùng phát huy tiềm năng trong phát triển kinh tế đất nước

Vice President of the Vietnam Women's Union Tran Lan Phuong delivered the opening speech at the seminar. (Photo: Ha Anh)

Speaking at the opening of the seminar, Vice President of the Vietnam Women's Union (VWU) Tran Lan Phuong affirmed that the cooperative relationship between the two countries is constantly developing, with many achievements in important areas such as politics , diplomacy, defense, security, trade, investment, agriculture, etc. In particular, Vietnamese and South African women are gradually promoting exchanges and connections to enhance understanding and cooperation opportunities between the two sides.

However, women have not yet fully exploited their potential in the country's economic development as they are still facing a series of problems, barriers and challenges, such as gender bias in business; the burden of unpaid housework; lower average income compared to men for the same type of work; low rate of female workers with vocational training, and the highest risk of unemployment in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vice President of the Vietnam Women's Union Tran Lan Phuong hopes that through South African women, Vietnam will have more opportunities to exchange with women across Africa. For its part, the Vietnam Women's Union is ready to connect South African women with women from other countries in the ASEAN region.

Sharing here, South African Ambassador to Vietnam Vuyiswa Tulelo affirmed that the discussion is an opportunity to connect, raise the voices of women of the two countries and discuss cooperation in the coming time.

The South African Ambassador to Vietnam said that South African women play many roles in society in areas such as reproduction, care, workers or even business owners. In particular, South Africa has applied many different programs to support women in starting a business and empowering women, such as incubation programs, youth development centers, artisan development training and youth empowerment programs.

Ambassador Vuyiswa Tulelo said that it is necessary to ensure that more women participate as entrepreneurs or importers/exporters in socio-economic development. Ms. Tulelo also shared notes on the challenges that women face related to climate change; support the promotion of gender equality through the contents agreed upon in coordination between the Vietnam Women's Union and the South African Embassy in Vietnam.

At the seminar, delegates also exchanged and discussed the possibilities of enhancing connectivity and cooperation to promote the role of Vietnamese and South African women in the country's economic development in the coming time, contributing to strengthening the good friendship between the two countries.

A performance to welcome the event of the Vietnam Women's Union. (Photo: Ha Anh)

Ms. Pham Thi Huong Giang - Head of the Department of Supporting Women in Economic Development, Vietnam Women's Union, said that the Union has consulted with the Party and the Government of Vietnam on policies to support women in economic development, realizing the Resolutions of the Party Central Committee on promoting industrialization and modernization of the country; Resolutions on agriculture, farmers, and rural areas; Resolutions on continuing to innovate, develop and improve the efficiency of the collective economy.

In particular, the Project to Support Women in Starting a Business for the 2017-2025 period and the Project to Support Cooperatives Managed by Women, Creating Jobs for Female Workers by 2030 have been approved by the Government, bringing opportunities to change and take control of their lives for many women.

Visiting Vietnam on this occasion, Ms. Refilwe Mts-Tsipane - President of Mpumalanga Province (South Africa), shared her hope that women of the two countries will have more opportunities to exchange and learn in economic development, as well as more and more women will participate as entrepreneurs, importers and exporters of goods, increasing exchanges between the two countries.

Besides, she believes that the partnership with Vietnamese women will be beneficial in supporting the promotion of gender equality, contributing to building a better life.

The President of Mpumalanga province also said that the economy of Mpumalanga province is strengthened by the fields of agriculture, tourism, mining, manufacturing..., in which, there are investment contributions from businesses owned by women.

In addition, the South African government is implementing policies to promote economic opportunities and women's liberation, helping women benefit from policies related to macroeconomics; industry; tourism; education and training; equal access to land, capital and markets...

On the sidelines of the discussion, delegates had the opportunity to visit the exhibition "Vietnamese Women - Moments" with two themes "For independence and national unification" and "For development and integration".

The exhibition reviewed the beautiful moments in the 90-year journey in which Vietnamese women and the Vietnam Women's Union have joined hands with the whole country to create strength, confidence, pride and position for Vietnam, so that the country can firmly integrate into the position of a peaceful and happy nation. Here, delegates also had the opportunity to look back at images of the cooperative relationship between the Vietnam Women's Union and South African women.

Delegates attending the seminar took a souvenir photo. (Photo: Le An)

Vietnamese women account for 49.04% of the total workforce in the country. The proportion of female directors, business owners, and cooperatives is 28.2%. Women account for more than 54% of workers in high-level and middle-level technical positions.

South African women are highly represented in the workforce, with over 51% of women aged 15 and over (April 2023). Women-owned businesses account for over 21% (2022). 47% of small and medium-sized enterprises are female-owned.

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