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A female NA deputy speaks during the first session of the 15th National Assembly on July 25, 2021. (Photo: NDO/DUY LINH)

On August 12, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) in coordination with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam held a virtual conference regarding a final review of the National Strategy on Gender Equality (NSGE) 2011-2020 and the implementation of the NSGE 2021-2030.

In 2019, following the direction of the Prime Minister, with technical and financial support from UN Women and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, MoLISA conducted a performance review of the NSGE 2011-2020 to serve as the basis for the formulation of the NSGE for the 2021-2030 period.

The development of the objectives and targets under the NSGE 2021-2030 was determined to be in alignment with the nation’s socio-economic development in the new period and international economic integration towards the successful realisation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030.

On March 3, 2021, the Government enacted Resolution No. 28/NQ-CP approving the NSGE 2021-2030, encompassing six objectives and 20 specific targets in an effort to further narrow the gender gap across six key spheres - politics; the economy, labour; family life and gender-based violence prevention and response; health; education, training; and information and communications.

Speaking at the workshop, MoLISA Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Ha highlighted some encouraging results after 10 years of implementation of the NSGE, which have contributed to narrowing the gender gap across all spheres, thereby making a positive contribution to the socio-economic development process of the country.

In particular, the results in the recent elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly (NA) and People's Councils at all levels for the 2021-2026 term, electing 30.26% female NA deputies and nearly 30% members of People's Councils at all levels being female, clearly demonstrate the efforts in implementing gender equality in Vietnam.

These gains will be a solid foundation for all levels and sectors to sustain and advance further in materialising the national objectives on gender equality in the upcoming period, Ha stressed.

With a view to facilitating the execution of NSGE 2021-2030, within the framework of cooperation with UN Women and the Australian Embassy, MoLISA has developed a guide for data collection and reporting on the NSGE implementation results to aid the key ministries, sectors and localities in the synchronous and consistent collection of data and reporting on the NSGE performance annually, towards ensuring effective and timely monitoring and evaluation of NSGE performance.

Elisa Fernandez Saenz, Representative of UN Women in Vietnam, highly values the country’s efforts and commitment to realising the SDGs, including Goal 5 on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment.

The review on the NSGE implementation over the past ten years has indicated the need to ensure financial resources for gender equality, in particular through investment expenditure sourced from the state budget, in order to realize the NSGE objectives, she said, adding that it is necessary to ensure the NSGE objectives are properly mainstreamed in sectoral and local plans, as well as in national target programmes.

Vietnam has also been advised to make targeted investments in changing social norms towards advancing gender equality, a core element in promoting the rise in gender equality experienced by a large number of countries worldwide and something which also constitutes the very primary goal of NSGE 2021-2030.

Robyn Mudie, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, said there are opportunities and challenges in terms of the advancement of women and girls in the coming decade, specifically on issues related to Vietnam’s ageing population, Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the automation of jobs.

The strategy’s guidance and recommendations lay the foundation for strong policy approaches to these issues, while also supporting the critical role of women in the economy and in leadership, she added.

At the workshop, delegates also urged more concerted efforts from the various ministries, departments and sectors of the government, social organisations, the private sector, and United Nations agencies in advancing gender equality, moving towards sustainable development by 2030, so that no one is left behind.

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