Advancing Women, Peace and Security Agenda: Role of Vietnam Women's Union

Viet Nam always seriously implements international commitments related to women, gender equality, human rights and sustainable development. In particular, as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for two terms (2008-2009 and 2020-2021), Viet Nam has actively carried out initiatives to promote the WPS Agenda. Specifically, Viet Nam introduced and advocated for the adoption of the UNSC’s Resolution 1889 in 2008 on women in post-conflict situations and organized international and regional forums on related topics. In early 2024, for the first time, the Vietnamese Government issued the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAP-WPS) for the period 2024-2030.

Through the ups and downs in the history of building and defending the country, Vietnamese women have always cherished the value of peace and have made many positive contributions to the country’s goal of peace and security. Since its establishment in 1930, the Vietnam Women's Union (VWU) has promoted its leading role in the Vietnamese women's movement in all fields, including peace and security.

During the war, the VWU actively mobilized women to participate in building and defending the Fatherland, typically the movement “3 responsibilities” in the North (responsibility in production and work; in family life; in serving the fight and readiness to fight when necessary) and the movement "Long-haired Army" in the South.

When peace was restored, the VWU at all levels encouraged women to actively participate in overcoming the war’s consequences, such as supporting victims of bombs and mines, Agent Orange victims, helping families of war invalids and martyrs and people with meritorious services in general. Through very specific and practical activities, the VWU has made an important contribution to healing and soothing the wounds left by war, both physically and mentally.

Forum "Promoting Women, Peace and Security Agenda: Roles of Women's Organizations (August 16, 2022)

In recent years, the VWU has promoted the legal dissemination and legal advice, focusing on areas with complex social order. The VWU has initiated and mobilized society to implement the theme "Safety for women and children", contributing to building a safe and healthy living environment in families and society. Many models have promoted effective inter-sectoral coordination such as "Peace House Shelters", "School Counseling", "Safe Village", "Safe Street", "Trusted Community-Based Address"... Communication campaigns on human trafficking prevention, National Action Month on Gender Equality and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Control have attracted a large number of men and community members to participate. The VWU has also implemented many activities to contribute to raising women's awareness of environmental protection and adaptation to climate change. Faced with serious impacts of natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, the VWU at all levels has made efforts to overcome difficulties, promote creativity and implement many practical programs such as the program "Millions of gifts to share love", “Patron-Parent Program”, "Resilient Viet Nam" to respond to the epidemics and natural disasters. In the context of the 4.0 revolution, the VWU at all levels has actively raised awareness and capacity to support women to take part in digital transformation, while equipping them with skills to cope with challenges when participating in the online environment.

Lao Cai Women's Union joins hands to overcome the consequences of Typhoon Yagi, which caused serious damage to people and property in Northern Viet Nam in September 2024 (Source: laocai.gov.vn)

The VWU has actively joined in the development, supervision, and social critique of legal documents and policies related to women and gender equality, including in the fields of foreign affairs, and peace and security. The VWU has also proactively implemented activities in the fields of international integration and United Nations peacekeeping. In 2021, the central VWU issued the Resolution on supporting women in international integration until 2030 with measures to promote their participation and contributions in all fields, including security, defense, and foreign affairs. The VWU is a member of the Drafting Committee of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAP-WPS).

With international friends, the VWU always strives to foster solidarity and mutual understanding among nations. In cooperation with women in neighboring countries, currently, the Women's Unions of 24/25 border provinces of Viet Nam have signed Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding with counterparts of Laos, Cambodia and China. In multilateral mechanisms, the VWU actively shares experiences and speaks out to promote issues of peace, security and sustainable development. Many big international forums such as "Women, Peace and Development", “Promoting the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals from a Gender Perspective”, “Vietnamese - Lao - Cambodian women strengthen friendship and cooperative relations”, “Promoting Women, Peace and Security Agenda: Role of women's organizations”, “Women, Cybersecurity and STEM” were successfully organized by the VWU, creating a deep impression on international friends and effectively contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in general, and peace and security in particular. The VWU also actively carries out and participates in reviewing the implementation of international commitments related to women, gender equality, human rights and sustainable development that Viet Nam had pledged to uphold.

In the current period, the world is experiencing many changes with many traditional and non-traditional security challenges such as pandemics, unusual natural disasters, violence against women and girls etc. The VWU increasingly recognizes the need to promote the common agenda on WPS for an equal and peaceful world, in which women are both beneficiaries and active contributors.

VWU Vice President Tran Lan Phuong (5th from left) and delegates attend opening ceremony of Photo Exhibition "Vietnamese female military personnel in United Nations peacekeeping operations" (October 25, 2024)

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Exhibition “Vietnamese female military personnel in UN peacekeeping operations” organized by the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations in coordination with UNDP Viet Nam and the VWU in October 2024, the VWU’s Vice President Tran Lan Phuong emphasized that in the coming time, the VWU expects to continue exchanging experiences with and accompanying domestic and international agencies and organizations to effectively implement activities and initiatives aiming at enhancing the role as well as practical and effective participation of women in building and strengthening peace, thus contributing to promoting the WPS Agenda.

The active participation of the VWU at all levels in implementing the NAP-WPS will help foster a peaceful and safe environment for women, moving towards a society of equality and sustainable development.