Gender equality achievements facilitate women’s social activities

According to the United Nations’ assessments of the implementation of the eight Millenium Goals in 2005, Vietnam earned praise for its efforts to effectively realise the three targets of illiteracy eradication, poverty reduction and gender equality. Vietnam has been listed among the countries with relatively high achievements in the region in the gender-related development index (GDI), ranking 87/144 nations in the world (China 83, Thailand 61, the Philippines 66, Singapore 28, Cambodia 105 and Laos 109).

Women delegates attending the 10^th National Party Congress comprise 27.31 percent and Vietnam has taken the lead among Asian countries in boosting the ratio of female participation in the National Assembly.

The number of women elected to People’s Councils at all levels is also higher than in the previous tenures.

In State agencies, the number of female Vice State Presidents and ministers and equivalent positions account for 11.29 percent; female deputy ministers (12.85 percent) and chairwomen and vice chairwomen of provincial People’s Committees (3.12 percent) and (16.08 percent), respectively.

In terms of business activities, there are more and more capable women holding key positions such as general directors, deputy general directors and enterprise owners.

In terms of scientific studies, the number of female intellectuals has increased in both quality and quantity, making up 37 percent of people with tertiary education, 19.9 percent of female doctors and 6.7 percent of female professors and associate professors.

Many Party Committees have paid due attention to developing female Party members, considering this an effective measure to train women cadres.

The advancement and development of Vietnamese women has been demonstrated through greater participation by women cadres in State management agencies, marking a breakthrough in the Party’s women personnel training programme during the 20 years of renovation.

However, gender equality efforts do not match the requirements and tasks in the new period. In fact, some officials and Party members are not fully aware of the role and position of women in society. In some cases, women are treated in an unfair way. They have fewer opportunities to obtain further promotion. As training activities for women are not implemented thoroughly, the qualifications of women have not been developed properly.

In Vietnam, 83 percent of women participate in the labour force, accounting for more than 48 percent of the total labour force in society. Despite this high proportion of labour force participation, women are still concentrated in unstable occupations with low incomes.

The demands for employment have increased for women in rural areas, especially poor women. Many young people in remote areas also do not have access to occupational training and employment.

To increase gender equality and facilitate women’s participation in State management activities, it is important to strengthen the Party leadership in improving people’s awareness of gender equality. It is also necessary to continue perfecting the legal system and policies to ensure gender equality, and enhance the investigation and supervision work regarding the implementation of gender equality policies.

The Vietnam Women's Union and the National Committee for the advancement of women should submit their proposals for gender equality to the Party and the State.