Delegates attend the 12th Congress of Vietnamese Women in Hanoi on March 7 (Photo: Vu Toan/VOV)

The 12^th Congress of Vietnamese Women themed “Solidarity, Reform, Equality, Integration” opened in Hanoi on Tuesday. It reviewed women’s movements over the past 5 years and mapped out activities for the next 5 years, aiming at promoting female tradition, innovation, and contribution to national construction and defense.

On Sunday in Hanoi, the Vietnam Women Entrepreneurs Council (VWEC) hosted a forum on women’s role in a green economy. Delegates discussed women’s potential in agricultural development and shared their experience and expertise to make Vietnamese products more competitive.

The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs and the UN held a joint talk on promoting gender equality by empowering women. Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung stressed female workforce development: “We should enable women of the informal sector to work for the formal sector, so that they will earn a decent income and enjoy social services. This should be done in a prompt and efficient manner.”

On International Women’ Day, the Capital City’s Women Festival was held to cherish female citizens. Tran Thi Phuong Hoa is Chairwoman of the Hanoi Women’s Union:“The festival coincides with the Congress of Vietnamese Women from Tuesday to Thursday. This year, the Union will donate 87 houses, help 2,500 women escape poverty, and help members develop their household economy and live a better life.”