Promoting Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals from Gender Perspective

30/03/2021
In commemoration of the International Women’s Day and in contribution to Vietnam’s national five‐year review of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation, the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU), in collaboration with the United Nations in Vietnam (UN Vietnam) held a forum on SDGs in Ha Noi on the morning of March 10th, 2021.
Forum participants with message about gender equality promotion

The event was co-chaired by Mrs. Ha Thi Nga, Member of the Central Party Committee, VWU President and Mr. Kamal Malhotra, UN Resident Coordinator to Vietnam and brought together leaders and officials from State and Party agencies, socio-political organizations, and representatives of international agencies and NGOs in Vietnam.  

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Ha Thi Nga shared that women were active agents of change, therefore, it was necessary to create favorable conditions for women to promote their strengths and contribute to the country's development and sustainable development in general. Speaking at the event, Mr. Kamal Malhotra, highlighted the global challenges for the fulfillment of the SDGs among which are low women’s participation in the decision making process and the COVID-19 pandemic. He also suggested a number of solutions for Vietnam to promote the implementation of the SDGs, especially SDG 5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

VWU President Ha Thi Nga delivers opening remarks at Forum

The Forum participants also had the opportunity to learn about Vietnam’s achievements in the implementation of the SDGs so far presented by Vice Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Van Trung, gendered effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on achieving the SDGs by UN Women Vietnam Representative Elisa Fernandez. Representative from ASEAN Confederation of Women’s Organizations – ACWO, through a video clip, shared about regional women’ efforts in responding to the COVID-19 and ACWO future agenda towards a sustainable community.

Drawing great attention of the Forum is the Panel Discussion “Women’s empowerment for a safe and equal future” which had the participation of five panelists representing local authorities, state agencies, female entrepreneurs, international organizations, and peace-keeping force. The discussion focused on various initiatives and good practices in implementing the SDGs, especially in advancing gender equality and SDG 5. Some initiatives could be named a few such as building a safe city for women and children, ensuring a protective and inclusive working environment for female workers by a women owned business, involving women in and enabling them to benefit from the digitalization process, enhancing women’s participation and contribution in leadership and peace-keeping.

Panel discussion “Women’s empowerment for a safe and equal future”

With informative presentations and interesting art performances bringing gender equality messages, the forum has created a good impression on Vietnamese and international participants, showed strong commitments of different stakeholders to the cause of gender equality in particular and to the sustainable development in general, and suggested a number of useful measures to protect and advance women and girls’ performance and contribution to the society.

By VWU International Relations Department

NEWS

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