Vietnam ramps up efforts to promote gender equality
VOV.VN - The rate of women in the Vietnamese workforce has reached over 70%, a high level compared to figures globally, according to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.
The rate of girls of school age also stands higher than boys, while in the incumbent 15th legislature, female deputies account for 30.26% of the total lawmakers, the highest ratio since the fifth National Assembly (NA).
Despite this, the country continues to face a number of challenges in ensuring gender equality, especially in relation to prolonged gender-based violence. The latest national survey indicates that over 60% of married women have been abused either physically or mentally.
The facts show that gender discrimination still exists in part of society, with girls accounting for the majority of victims of violence and abuse, whilst women find it harder to access sustainable job opportunities in comparison to their male counterparts.
Nguyen Hong Ha, officer in charge of the International Labour Organisation Vietnam, said due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year has seen female workers worse affected in terms of employment than their male counterparts, leading to a 10.8% rise in gender-based employment gap.
Bach Lien Huong, director of Hanoi's Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, recommended that authorities allocate appropriate resources specifically for gender equality promotion programmes.
Furthermore, Kidong Park, acting resident coordinator of the UN, suggested that the country promote educational campaigns in a bid to raise public awareness of gender equality.
Moreover, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha requested that concerned parties work hand together to carry out a programme on preventing and coping with gender-based violence for the 2021 to 2025 period. This is as well as implementing priority policies for pregnant and COVID-19-infected women, in addition to women caring for small children.