Viet Nam calls for more significant efforts to further promote gender equality

Viet Nam spoke on behalf of the inter-regional group at Item 10 General Debate - technical cooperation within the framework of the 55th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council, which is taking place in Switzerland from February 26 to April 5.

Sharing that the UN 2023 Report on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasized the urgency of accelerating progress towards gender equality by 2030, Ambassador Mai Phan Dung stressed on the role and contributions of women and girls to the implementation of SDGs.

He put forward some proposals such as prioritizing the whole, effective and meaningful engagement of women and girls and recognizing their contributions to decision-making mechanisms in the fields of politics, economy, culture and social affairs, especially those on poverty reduction, ensuring sustainable livelihoods, startup and innovation, and eliminating gender barriers.

Besides, it is necessary to ensure their participation and leadership in science, technology, and digital transformation and implement policies to narrow the digital divide associated with preventing and fighting against discrimination and gender-based violence in cyberspace.

The Vietnamese Ambassador also suggested budgeting and enhancing capacity building to achieve gender equality in institutions and policies in all countries, including developing nations, saying experience sharing and cooperation would help countries accelerate the implementation of the SDGs.

As a UN Human Rights Council member for the 2023-2025 term, Viet Nam has identified eight priority matters with specific initiatives widely supported by other countries.

Among those priorities, promoting gender equality and ensuring human rights in sustainable development demonstrate its long-term commitments and efforts in issues of international concern.

Viet Nam is considered one of the countries eliminating the gender gap the fastest in the past 20 years. The country completed the 3rd Millennium Development Goals (MDG 3) on gender equality early and is making efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Goals, including Goals 5 and 10 on eliminating inequality, promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls./.