Mr Trong made the statement at the 5^th female army officers’ congress in Hanoi on December 13.

He highly valued female army officers’ participation in emulation movements launched by the Party, the State, the People’s Army, the Women’s Union and other mass organizations, as well as their good performance in daily work and family.

The Party leader emphasized the need to ensure gender equality, protect the women’s legitimate rights, and enhance their role in the new era.

Female officers play an important part in promoting national unity and economic growth, especially in building up a powerful force for the nation’s army, he noted.