Promoting gender equality to enhance the effectiveness of nature and biodiversity conservation in Vietnam

On October 17, 2023, in Hanoi, the Center for Natural Resources and Environment Communication ( Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment ) in collaboration with the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment, the International Organization for Nature Conservation - WWF Vietnam organized the Seminar "Promoting gender equality to enhance the effectiveness of nature and biodiversity conservation in Vietnam", an event under the Project "Speak up to protect ecosystems for nature and people".

The seminar was organized in both direct and online formats, with the participation of National Assembly Deputies, units under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development , Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and related Departments/agencies/sectors; WWF Vietnam; Representatives of the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment, Central Vietnam Women's Union; Socio-political organizations, domestic and international NGOs; Enterprises, national parks and nature reserves; Centers and research institutes on biodiversity conservation; Experts and central and local mass media agencies.

Delegates discussed and proposed solutions to promote gender equality and increase effectiveness in nature conservation and biodiversity in Vietnam.

The objectives of the seminar include: Introducing legal regulations on gender equality and opportunities for integrating gender equality in the implementation of the National Strategy on Biodiversity (NBSAP) in Vietnam; Women's strengths in conservation in particular and environmental protection in general; practical models in the world and experiences from the results of the project on preventing gender-based violence in the conservation sector; Sharing of the local Women's Union on gender equality in environmental protection, nature conservation and biodiversity. In addition, at the Seminar, delegates discussed the following contents: the need for gender equality in biodiversity conservation in the world and its application in Vietnam: from participating in conservation, building conservation policies to sharing benefits from conservation activities, and step-by-step solutions to make gender equality an evaluation criterion in Vietnam's NBSAP implementation activities, and solutions to mobilize resources to meet the need for gender equality in the field of biodiversity conservation in Vietnam.

Vietnam is one of the 16 countries with the highest level of biodiversity in the world, this biodiversity resource is a valuable genetic resource for the sustainable development of Vietnam. From ancient times to the present, the rich flora and fauna have been used by Vietnamese families for all aspects of life, especially thanks to the hands of women. From creating products to consuming and using products for life from diverse resources, there is the presence of women. Today, women are not only beneficiaries of precious natural resources but also actively participating in efforts to manage, conserve and develop natural resources.

However, women’s potential has not been fully exploited to match their role. Women are still disadvantaged in accessing benefits from forests and natural landscapes, reflected in the difference between men and women in the rate of registration and receipt of payments from forest environmental services. Women in the forestry sector often have less access to professional and technical training opportunities, in addition, women’s income is often lower than men’s and the gender wage gap in the forestry sector is significantly larger than in other economic and industrial sectors in Vietnam.

View of the seminar.

Taking advantage of the differences and diversity in roles, needs and experiences of different classes, subjects and genders in biodiversity and resource conservation is extremely important to promote the strong development of forest protection activities and natural landscape protection. In which, women's empowerment is one of the key factors promoting the sustainability of biodiversity conservation.

To enhance the dissemination and exchange of information on biodiversity conservation domestically and internationally, based on the practical needs of conservation, the promotion and development of the role of each individual - especially women - in biodiversity conservation, contributing to reducing the demand for consumption of wildlife and products derived from wildlife; at the same time, identify barriers, challenges and contribute ideas to develop policies to encourage the enhancement of the role of women in implementing the National Strategy and Action Plan on Biodiversity.

Yanjiang