New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern talks at the Forbes Vietnam Women's Summit in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Thanh Vu/VNA

Addressing the Women’s Summit 2022 themed “Women Rising” in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday, PM Ardern emphasized the role of women today in promoting the economy in the post-COVID-19 context and amid the negative impacts of the world economy.

She said over the past 30 years,  the rate of New Zealand women joining the workforce has increased from 54% to 70%. In Vietnam, the rate was 76% in 2019 which was rather high, given the world’s average was 47%.

This shows that both countries have a relatively high proportion of women in the labor force, Ardern added, saying the female workforce, gender equality work and activities aimed at women and children in Vietnam and New Zealand have many similarities.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern poses for a photo with delegates at the Forbes Vietnam Women's Summit. Photo: Thanh Vu/VNA