Vietnam should ensure gender perspectives in digital policies: UN official
VOV.VN - Gender perspectives should be ensured as part of national digital policies, with adequate resources being allocated for full implementation, said Pauline Tamesis, resident coordinator of the UN in Vietnam, at a dialogue held in Hanoi on March 3.
She also suggested that the nation promote quality education for women and girls, forecast and anticipate future job and skill needs, move to increase data collection, and seek to address gender-based violence online.
As part of her remarks, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha, who is also permanent vice chairwoman of the National Committee for the Advancement of Women in Vietnam, briefed participants on the National Programme on Digital Transformation until 2025, with a vision towards 2030 as approved by the Prime Minister on June 3, 2020.
Digital transformation aims to change expectations regarding gender stereotypes in professions, including enhancing the participation of female role models in information technology, she went on to say.
The Deputy Minister added that digital transformation will also provide a timely boost to women's confidence in the field of information technology, noting that equipping women with necessary skills and supporting their transition to digitally relevant careers is critical to ensuring that women are not left behind.
The policy dialogue opened with the theme of “Innovation and technology for gender equality in Vietnam: opportunities and challenges” and was co-organised by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the UN in Vietnam, and the National Committee for the Advancement of Women in Vietnam.
The event brought together 100 representatives from various ministries, agencies, localities, socio-political organizations, social organizations, and UN agencies.
Participants used the platform to call digital transformation an important impulse to gender equality and women’s empowerment, as well as the settlement of gender-based violence.
They also looked into digital transformation in the nation and women’s role in the digital era across different spheres.
The dialogue aligned with the theme of International Women's Day of “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”. In addition, it served to respond to the priority theme of the 67th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67) “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”.
It was designed to honour the various contributions made by women and girls in innovation, technology, and digital education, while also identifying the impacts of digital transformation on the risks of exacerbating economic and social inequalities.
The information and recommendations presented at the dialogue will be included in the country’s report at the 67th session slated for mid-March in New York.