Vietnam Women's Union

The conference was jointly held by the Ho Chi Minh Political Academy’s Human Rights Research Institute and the United Nations Development Fund for Women as part of world-wide celebrations held to mark the 27th anniversary of CEDAW, deemed the international bill of rights of women, as well as implementation of the 25 years of CEDAW in Viet Nam.

Speaking at the conference, Huong stated that the country had incorporated the regulations of the convention into its legal system and implemented CEDAW’s recommendations in Viet Nam.

Through various measures, the State had ensured women’s equality with men in the society and family, and gradually reduced discrimination against women. The State had issued policies and concrete programmes to implement gender equality, including a strategy for the advancement of women during the 2000-10 term, and developed a system for women’s advancement in different sectors and levels.

Viet Nam was one among the few East Asian countries that had rapidly narrowed the gender gap over the past 20 years. The country’s Gender Development Index ranks 83rd among 140 countries, and the nation leads Asia and ranks 18th in the globe in the number of women deputies in the National Assembly (at 27.31 per cent). The hunger and poverty reduction rate has been cut by half over the past 20 years.

However Huong said according to the CEDAW Committee’s conclusion, the country faced many difficulties and shortcomings, including a patriarchal culture that gives prominence to the traditional role of men, impeding the full implementation of CEDAW resolves.

The rate of women in leadership roles remained low, abuse and trafficking of women and children were widely prevalent, and the rate of abortion was high, she said.

Dr Jean D’Cunha, Regional Programme Director of UNIFEM’s East and Southeast Asia Regional Office said Viet Nam had made remarkable progress in developing policies and legislations in line with the CEDAW Convention.

"Moreover, with gender equality and women’s empowerment being placed on the political agenda, the Government of Viet Nam had also established national institutions and mechanisms to co-ordinate and monitor the implementation of CEDAW," said Jean D’Cunha.