Expanding women’s role in ICT and media
(VOV) -Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs Minister Pham Thi Hai Chuyen has told a high-level information and communications technology (ICT) forum Vietnamese media agencies should be applauded for promoting the advancement and empowerment of women and people with disabilities.
The Hanoi forum, hosted by Vietnam Television (VTV) on October 23–24, is part of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union General Assembly & Associated Meetings (ABU GA 50). It attracted ABU members, representatives from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), VTV and VOV staff, and delegates from a range of domestic and international media organisations.
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Minister Chuyen said mass media has popularised the image of the modern dynamic woman empowered and respected within the home, the workplace, and the wider community.
She said Vietnam has focused on advancing the status of women, realising gender equality, and ensuring people with disabilities—especially those with ethnic minority backgrounds—receive the support they require.
She highlighted Vietnamese women’s contributions to ICT and media development. Statistics suggest women comprise 30 percent of media workers and 26 percent of ICT university, college, and training centre instructors.
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ABU Secretary General Javad Mottaghi underscored the Union’s efforts to encourage women and the disabled to participate in ICT and media work. ABU’s partners, including VTV and VOV, have supported this campaign. The Hanoi forum allows delegates to learn from each other’s experiences and debate future directions for expanding women’s roles and defending the rights of the disabled, he said.
ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau Director Brahima Sanou said the forum can inspire women and the disabled to explore opportunities in ICT and media work.
Sanou hopes that by 2015 at least two million women will be working in the media sector, assisted by a digital fund to help with the cost burdens of training.
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Other delegates highlighted the gender equality achievements of ABU members including Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
The two-day forum will conclude with the adoption of a “Hanoi Declaration”, creating a platform for cultivating networks, partnerships, policies, and funding supporting women and the disabled working in ICT and the media.