(VNF) - The 5^th Vietnam-Korea Women’s Forum took place on June 30^th at Hanoi’s Center for Women and Development.

The event was jointly held by the the Vietnam Women's Union (VWU) and the Korean Women’s Development Institute (KWDI) over the last five years.

Following previous forums rotating annually in the two countries, the forum this year was held in Hanoi focusing on the theme of mainstreaming gender into policies towards sustainable development.

Attending the forum were delegates from several research and policy institutes and non-governmental organizations working on the issue of. This was the opportunity for both sides to share updated information, exchange experience from both legal framework and reality aspects, and discuss solutions to support women in economic development.

At the Forum on June 30^th.

Speaking at the event, VWU Vice Chairwoman Bui Thi Hoa stressed that as a developing country that is overcoming historical difficulties, Vietnam is aware of the need for socio-economic development along with ensuring equality and fairness for all people

As one of the first countries to sign and ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, Vietnam has been exerting all-out efforts to ensure and promote gender equality and women’s rights.

Gender equality is one of the principles constitutionalised in Vietnam’s first Constitution in 1946, she stated.

Regulations on gender equality have been included in many legal documents covering different fields such as politics, economy, finance-budget, labour-employment, education-training, healthcare, and population-family, she said, adding that attention have been paid to activities targeting development of women.

KWDI Chairwoman Lee Myung Sun underlined the importance to make recommendations to policies concerning women, affirming that the institute will continue promoting cooperation with the VWU to connect women-related agencies and organisations, towards a better future for women of both countries.

At the seminar, more than 40 participating delegates introduced policies and successful models at both national and local levels and shared a lot of policies on gender equality; experience in applying gender mainstreaming in the budgetary process and gender budgeting.

They also discussed policies to build women friendly cities in the central city of Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City as well as promised further cooperation in the future.

Delegates pose for a photo.

The Vietnam – Korea Women’s Forum was first held back in 2013 in step with celebrating the 20^th anniversary of diplomatic relations of the both countries. In order to commemorate this memorable moment, KWDI and the VWU have been holding annual forums for the past five years to have women’s policy exchange and cooperation.

The previous events focused on female human resources development, vocational training and job creation, creative industry, supporting female-owned entrepreneurs; and international marriage between Vietnamese and RoK citizens./.

Minh Chau