In her opening remark, NCAW Chairman and Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan stressed that to boost the development of women, the Party and State have issued many policies and laws that create favourable conditions for women to become involved in political activities in general, and the NA and People’s Councils at all levels in particular.

However, the proportion of women engaged in politics is yet to match their potential, she said.

At present, the number of women holding key positions in State agencies is very low with one minister and 10 out of 100 deputy ministers. Women only account for 4.67 percent of provincial People’s Council chairpersons and 1.59 percent of provincial People’s Committee chairpersons.

According to the minister, the biggest challenge for the implementation of gender equality in the political sector in Vietnam is social preconceptions. In addition, several different regulations for women and men’s retirement and training limit women’s participation in various aspects of social life.

Emphasising the important and decisive role of the media in changing public awareness of gender equality and the role, position and contributions of women, Ngan asked media agencies to continue boosting activities and messages in support of  women during the elections.
Media agencies should focus on disseminating positive stories on women’s participation in managing agencies in order to help raise the proportion of women in the NA and People’s Council in the 2011-2016 term to 30 percent and above, she said.