VWU at All Levels Implements National Gender Equality Strategy (2021–2025): Comprehensive, Innovative, and Effective

The strategy, part of a broader national plan for 2021–2030 issued under Government Resolution No. 28/NQ-CP dated March 3, 2021, outlines 20 targets across six key areas. Recognizing the vital role of VWU in promoting social mobilization and advocating for gender equality, the Presidium of the Central VWU promptly issued Plan No. 1136/KH-ĐCT to guide the Union’s implementation of the strategy across its entire system.

This plan integrates gender equality efforts with VWU’s long-term development strategy through 2030 and aligns with its organizational tasks for each term. Local VWU chapters were directed to incorporate the strategy’s goals into their annual action plans.

Tthe Resolution of the 13th National Women's Congress (2022–2027) also identified social mobilization for gender equality as a key component of the Union’s core mission-particularly in building the Party and political system, strengthening oversight and social criticism, and promoting equality across society.

During the 2021-2025 period, VWU at all levels actively organized or coordinated more than 3,350 training and capacity-building sessions aiming to enhance knowledge and skills related to gender equality and gender mainstreaming for nearly 308,600 officials from various sectors, 77.2% of whom were women.

The communication team of Khanh Dong Commune, Khanh Vinh District, Khanh Hoa Province.

Over the past five years, Women's Unions at all levels have proposed over 363 gender-related policies. At the central level, the VWU contributed to three national target programs and successfully proposed Project 8 on gender equality and urgent issues for women and children. The Union also gave feedback on over 54,500 legal and policy drafts, with central-level input on eight major laws. From 2021-2023, they monitored over 25,800 policy implementations, meeting and exceeding annual targets set by the 13th National Women’s Congress.

Integrated activities have been organized in Pác Nặm district, Bắc Kạn province to help raise public awareness and understanding of gender equality.

Over the past five years, the VWU at all levels has led and coordinated over 290,000 monitoring and inspection activities, supervising more than 10,000 policies related to women and gender equality. These efforts have identified policy challenges at the local level and prompted relevant authorities to address them, with many VWU recommendations being adopted by local leaders.

The role and position of women in the political system are increasingly affirmed.

To support national gender equality goals (2021–2025), the VWU has worked to ensure women and children’s meaningful participation in socio-economic development, particularly among ethnic minorities and in remote areas. The VWU also proposed and organized 10,584 policy dialogues with Party and government leaders, enabling grassroots women to voice their concerns and contribute to shaping decisions that affect them. These initiatives affirm the growing role of women in politics and strengthen VWU’s strategic vision of becoming a leading advocate for gender equality and development.

Art exhibition showcases paintings on gender equality and prevention of domestic and gender-based violence.

From 2021 to 2024, 107,809 turns of women officials were newly appointed or received training to strengthen leadership, management, and gender integration skills. Under Project 8 alone, 4,164 ethnic minority women enhanced their leadership capacity. During the 2021–2026 term, the VWU nominated 376 women as candidates for the National Assembly; 101 out of 109 officially listed were elected- a success rate of 92.7%, exceeding the national average. Over 1,400 training sessions helped more than 88,700 women candidates build election campaigning skills, contributing to increased female representation in legislative bodies.

Women's capacity to participate in economic activities is increasingly enhanced

Students of Lai Châu Ethnic Boarding High School study in a well-equipped and supportive learning environment.

Over the past five years, more than 69,590 communication events have reached over 7.5 million VWU members on topics like women’s start up, business development, and startup support. VWU at all levels trained over 10,000 women in business planning, branding, intellectual property, and digital tools-boosting their capacity to engage in the digital economy.

From 2021–2024, VWU helped establish 633 cooperatives run by women and 1,530 cooperative groups, creating jobs for over 13,500 women. By leading key national programs like Project 8 and others focused on rural development and women-run cooperatives, VWU has actively advanced gender equality goals.

As a result, 13 out of 20 national gender equality targets set for 2025 have already been met or exceeded, affirming VWU’s vital and recognized role in this mission.