Viet Nam maintains momentum on advancing gender equality: UN Women

In a recent interview with the VGP, Caroline T. Nyamayemombe said, since adopting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Viet Nam's world ranking on Gender equality has increased from 83^rd to 72^nd out of 146 countries (according to the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Index 2023).

The nation has gained four notable improvements since adoption of the SDGs.

Viet Nam has continued to strengthen its policy and legal framework on gender equality, for instance, the Law supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (2017); a national gender-based violence strategy and program in the 2021-2030 period; Amendments to the domestic violence and protection law (2022); the Labor Code amendment (2019) and recently the national action plan on women, peace and security.

In addition, the country firmly supports multilateral cooperation and has demonstrated this as a member of the United Nations and within ASEAN.

On January 25, 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang signed a decision approving the national action program on women, peace and security for the 2024-2030 period.

"This milestone not only signifies the acknowledgment of the crucial role women play in achieving sustainable peace but also underscores Viet Nam's unwavering commitment to upholding principles of gender equality on the global stage. It reflects a robust partnership between Viet Nam and the international community, fostering a more inclusive and gender-sensitive approach to peace and security", she emphasized.

The second one is women's political participation. In the 2021 election, the proportion of female deputies in the National Assembly increased to 30 percent-the highest since 1976, higher than the global average of 25 percent.

The third one is women's labor force participation. It is almost as high as men's (72 percent for women compared to 82 percent for men).

Fourthly, Viet Nam is surpassing set target of female participation in peacekeeping operations contribution. The women from Viet Nam involved in peacekeeping operations bring diverse perspectives and invaluable skills to the missions.

"I have had the privilege of meeting three Vietnamese female peacekeeping officers and I have been inspired by their stories of courage and resilience. I have also admired how they easily connected with people in my own continent, Africa, when they served in Central Africa Republic and South Sudan. This helps to build the confidence of women in host countries to participate in building peace in their countries", shared the UN Women Country Representative.

At a time when the world is in turmoil, the Secretary General of the United Nations has called for more women leaders to be at the center of peace negotiations and peace building efforts. Viet Nam's actions are aligning well to this call, she added.

Enhancing more inclusive, equal society in Viet Nam

Regarding key projects UN Women implementing in Viet Nam, Caroline T. Nyamayemombe said, as the leading UN agency for gender equality and the empowerment of women, UN Women has worked in Viet Nam for 14 years.

Working in collaboration with the Government of Viet Nam, UN Women is committed to ensuring Viet Nam achieves its vision of becoming a high-income country by 2045 and with net zero emissions by 2050, while fulfilling its obligations to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, advancing women's rights, and promoting equality among all genders.

UN Women's Strategy for 2022-2026 is fully aligned with the Viet Nam-UN Cooperation Framework (2022-2026) across all fields of sustainable and gender responsive inclusive economic transformation; and improved governance, more responsive institutions, strengthened rule of law and the protection of and respect for human rights, gender equality, and freedom from all forms of violence and discrimination in line with international standards.

Climate change, disaster risk reduction and resilience building, promotion of circular economy, the provision of clean and renewable energy, and the sustainable management of natural resources are also included in the strategy.

According to Nyamayemombe, UN Women collaborates with ministries, departments, social organizations, private sector and development cooperation partners.

The agency's program in Viet Nam includes national reviews of the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Platform for Action on Gender Equality, and updating the Gender Equality Law.

The recent approval of the first National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace, and Security highlights the tireless work of UN Women in Viet Nam.

Their dedicated support throughout the NAP development process brought together international resources and expertise to assist the country in achieving this significant milestone.

UN Women will continue supporting Viet Nam to further advance the implementation of the NAP.

The agency helps address gender-based violence by providing technical support to enhance essential services for survivors, ensuring alignment with global standards and a commitment to leaving no one behind.

UN Women enhances women's economic rights and leadership in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and private sector field. UN Women advises on appropriate planning and resource allocation for the promotion of gender equality at the national level.

Additionally, UN Women conducts communication campaigns and activities aimed at challenging gender stereotypes. The goal is to empower all individuals, irrespective of gender, to reach their full potential.

UN Women's multifaceted approach underscores its commitment to enhancing a more inclusive and equal society in Viet Nam, highlighted the UN Women Country Representative.

Contributing to collective progress of community

On the occasion of International Women's Day 2024, Caroline T. Nyamayemombe extended heartfelt wishes to Vietnamese women.

"Today is a celebration of your incredible strength, resilience, and remarkable achievements", she said.

This year's theme, "Invest in women-Accelerate progress", resonates deeply with our shared aspirations for a brighter future. She encourages Vietnamese women to embrace the following messages:

Let's commit to investing in ourselves: Whether it's pursuing further education, exploring new skills, or seeking mentorship, let's empower ourselves for personal and professional growth. Your development not only enhances your individual potential but also contributes to the collective progress of our community.

Use Your Leadership to Bring Transformation: Women have the power to drive positive change. I urge you to leverage your leadership skills to catalyze transformation at home, in the workplace, and for our beloved country. Our analysis demonstrates that when more women lead, companies thrive and society advances. Your leadership is a force for progress.

"Together, as we invest in ourselves and harness our leadership, we accelerate progress not just for women but for the entire nation. Happy International Women's Day!", she said./.