Gender Perspective Consultative Workshop on the National 5 Year Socio-Economic Development Plan 2006 – 2010.

Attending the Workshop were Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh, Vice-President of Vietnam Women’s Union, 50 delegates who are members of the gender network from ministries and branches as well as gender trainers from a number of institutes and colleges.

Mr. Pham Hai, former Director of Local and Regional Economy Department of the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) introduced the draft National 5 Year Socio-economic Development Plan (2006-2010) to all participants.

Clearly presenting the present situation of the country, the draft 5 Year Plan defines well the rationale, overall objective and main tasks with targets for socio - economic development as well as directions for the development of sectors, regions and areas in the next 5 years.

According to Mr. Pham Hai, this is the first time for MPI under the direction of the Government to make the 5 year plan of socio-economic development (2006-2010) opened to all branches and organizations for their comments and consultation.

Followed Mr. Hai’s presentation, participants discussed o­n the past 5 year situation with progresses, limitations and measure taken to eliminate gender inequality by ministries, branches and localities in the process of implementing the Socio-economic Development Plan. Participants also reviewed whether the overall objective, tasks and targets of the draft plan have been integrated with targets of gender equality and women’s advancement? What measures should be taken to deal with gender disparity in labor, especially in the rural sector and areas, in health care, education and culture ?...

The Workshop eventually came up with a conclusion that the draft of the National Socio - economic Development Plan has not yet integrated gender perspective in its overall objective, socio – economic development targets as well as development direction of branches, sectors and regions; Therefore, it is especially necessary to take specific measures to mainstream gender into objectives and targets; It is recommended that in the overall objective, there should be a phrase “to improve the women’s status” following the objective “to improve the material and spiritual life of the people”; Gender targets should not be separated from the general development targets.

Participants realized that it is also necessary to mainstream gender issues into their own ministries and branches development plan for the coming 5 years prior submitting it to MPI.