Vietnam Women's Union

Gender sensitivity in revision of Education Law

22/05/2018

The issue of mainstreaming gender and “promotion provisional measures” into the draft law was discussed at the Consultative Workshop on Draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the The Draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Education Law is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly (NA) for comments at the next NA session. On the morning of 13th of April, the VWU and the VAFIW hold consultative workshop with experts, NA deputies and representatives from the education sector to discuss about gender mainstreaming in the draft law.

Taking the chair of the workshop, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Member of Vietnam Party Central Committee, VWU Presidentand Prof. Ph.D Pham Thi Tran Chau, VAFIW Chairwoman expressed theirappreciation of the comments made by the delegates on issues related to gender mainstreaming in the proposed amendments and supplements.

Many participants commented that there should be a common point of view in the draft law considering gender integration into the policy as a "promotion measure”.

At the same time, measures to promote gender equality should be included in specific legal regulations. In addition, many comments also raised the need to clarify the Report on gender impact assessment of the draft and how gender mainstreaming will be conducted.

The participants also recommended that the Ministry of Education and Training, the drafting committee of this draft Law should conduct a survey to find out issues affecting gender, such as policies for female teachers, training and recruitment of female teachers; shortcomings in rotation and placement of teachers; conditions of female teachers in different areas, etc. This would provide data and arguments for gender impact assessment of the draft law as well as for suitable policies to incorporate into specific legal regulations, etc.

Concluding the workshop, VWU President Nguyen Thi Thu Ha emphasized that the Draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Education Law sets out quite comprehensive issues, covering the objectives and points of view, scope, and principles of the law, etc. In particular, gender issues are raised. It is necessary to apply "promotion provisional measures" to ensure equal opportunities for women in case women have lower conditions.

According to VWU President Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, there still exist different opinions on how gender is to be mainstreamed, such as in the principle of the law, or in the decree, directive, etc. However, it must follow the consistent viewpoint of gender mainstreaming and sensitivity in this law. in order to ensure equal opportunities for female staff of the education sector.