Overview of the workshop. Photo by Nghiem Y
Conference scene. Photo: Nghiem Y

At the workshop, Mr. Pham Quy Trong, Deputy Director of Department of Localities 3, Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission informed that over the years, the Party and State have always highly appreciated the contributions and roles of women and implemented a series of policies at both macro and micro levels to enhance gender equality, promote women's advancement, and ensure women are protected, cared for and developed. Vietnam is one of the first countries in the world to join the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and has made significant efforts to fulfill its commitments in this work.

According to Mr. Pham Quy Trong, the research results are based on survey data of 9,094 people in 6 socio-economic regions across the country, of which Ho Chi Minh City has 1,006 people aged 18 and over.

Speaking at the workshop, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thi Minh Thi, Deputy Director of the Institute of Social Science Information (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences) said that the Industrial Revolution 4.0 is disrupting governance systems, industries and labor markets, as virtual reality systems develop and become more sophisticated.

"Women are at risk of missing out on future job opportunities. The United Nations predicts that women will lose five jobs for every one they gain due to Industry 4.0, compared to three jobs lost for every one they gain (UNESCO, 2018)," Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thi Minh Thi cited.

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Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Thi Minh Thi shared at the workshop. Photo: Nghiem Y.

For women to seize the opportunities brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, there must be a level playing field in terms of access to supporting factors such as education and information. Women have the right to participate in the digital economy to ensure that Industry 4.0 does not perpetuate gender stereotypes. Promoting gender equality in education, training, science and technology is not only the responsibility of State agencies but also of the whole society.

Dr. Vu Thi Thanh, Institute of Human Research, shared that survey results in Vietnam show that the percentage of men who know how to use technical means of production is much higher than that of women. Specifically, automatic production lines and systems (men 12.6%, women 4.4%); tractors, food processing machines (men 28.6%, women 21.4%)... This difference may be due to women's limitations in using technology and techniques, stemming from gender stereotypes that women's ability to learn science and technology is lower than that of men.

Many opinions expressed at the workshop also clarified issues related to the need to enhance women's capacity so that they can effectively use scientific and technological equipment in their lives and economic activities.

To do that, there needs to be mechanisms and policies to support and promote women to participate in formal or informal training activities to improve their capacity to use science and technology, especially digital capacity for women.

According to Thanh Tau (Hanoi Moi Newspaper)