Fine-tuning policies and laws on general equality, integrating gender equality in socio-economic development programs, and increasing women’s participation in all social activities are among the key tasks of the Vietnamese Party and State.
Vietnam’s achievements in gender equality
Vietnam has fine-tuned and promulgated gender equality-based laws and policies under the 2006 Law on Gender Equality and the UN Convention on Eliminating Discrimination against Women. Vietnam has issued a National Strategy on Gender Equality for the 2011-2020 period aiming to raise awareness, narrow gender gaps, and improve women’s role. Vietnam has implemented international initiatives to protect women’s rights and eliminate discrimination against women. Vietnam has accomplished the goal of achieving gender equality and empowering women, one of the MDG 2013 goals ahead of the schedule becoming one of the countries to reduce gender gaps the most.
Vietnamese women comprise more than half of the population and nearly half of the work force. The percentage of female deputies in the current National Assembly is 26.8%, one of the highest percentages in the region. Vietnam has female Politburo members, National Assembly Chairwoman, NA Vice Chairwoman, Vice President, and Deputy Ministers. In many localities, there are many female leaders and businesswomen. The number of ethnic minority women doing business and participating in education and public health has increased.
92% of Vietnamese women are literate. 80% of girls in remote mountainous regions attend school. Girls account for more than 50% of Vietnamese students, 30% of Masters Degree holders and 17% of professors. All the figures show a narrowing gap in gender in all areas. Vietnam has fulfilled several goals set out in the National Strategy on Gender Equality until 2020, particularly those involving economics and employment.
Vietnam continues to promote gender equality and women empowerment
Vietnam is facing several challenges in its efforts to promote gender equality – fluctuations in the global economy, the rapid development of the 4th Industrial Revolution, natural disasters, climate change and population changes. Consequently, Vietnam needs to continue to fine-tune its policies and take actions to maintain its achievements and address arising problems. Vietnam is devising a National Strategy on Gender Equality in the 2021-2030 period in line with the Law on Gender Equality and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Convention on Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and other related international commitments. Vietnam has integrated gender equality and women empowerment issues in all socio-economic development programs Last year, Vietnam adopted a revised Labor Code with 11 stipulations for woman workers aiming to change the approach in protecting woman workers and promoting gender equality in order to realize Vietnam’s commitments under international conventions and new-generation free trade agreements.
Vietnam has also raised public awareness about the role of women, expanded international cooperation, and mobilized resources to ensure gender equality.