Women and Leadership

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day 8^th March, with the aim of helping the audience/readers to exchange, share their thoughts and views o­n this topic, the World Bank in Vietnam has organized a live chat o­n challenges and ways forward in promoting women in leadership in Vietnam. Four panelists of the live chat were Vietnam Women’s Union President Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa, UN Women Country Representative in Vietnam Shoko Ishikawa, World Bank Country Director in Vietnam Victoria Kwakwa, and TalentPool CEO Do Thuy Duong.

The live chat has drawn great attention from the readers/audience with a number of interesting questions raised to the panelists before and during the chat. The most common question from readers was how to balance professional work and personal life, breaking down prejudice that put most housework responsibilities o­n women’s shoulders.

As the head of the largest organization in Vietnam working toward women’s advancement, Ms. Hoa said the Government should develop policies for supporting women, and women should actively manage their lives as well. “Everyone must be aware that housework is a shared responsibility among all family members, not just women”, Ms. Hoa said. “Women themselves should mobilize their husbands and children to share housework”. In addition, she also emphasized that parents play a very important role in encouraging both boys and girls to strive for better future. Moreover, schools should consider to incorporate the content o­n family responsibility in curriculums of different subjects, including the Citizenship Education, and illustrations with gender prejudice about roles of women and girls should be avoided in textbooks.

Regarding the creation of better opportunities for women, Ms. Kwakwa said that parents and teachers play a key role in encouraging students, boys and girls alike, to become potential leaders. In the workplace, women should be given equal opportunities as men. “Businesses, the government and the public sector should take practical actions”, said Ms. Kwakwa. “We need policies and regulations that empower women and create more opportunities for them”.

With regard to the communication and education in schools and through mass media, Ms. Shoko Ishikawa said: “We need to highlight role models and positive images of female leaders, and highlight women’s roles in non-traditional jobs such as business leaders, scientists, architects so that we can change perceptions o­n tasks that women can take o­n”.

When sharing her personal experience in leading a private company, Ms. Do Thuy Duong said: “It’s a bit challenging when you have strong and talented male employees. I need to inspire them and appeal to their sense of collaboration”.

The discussion ended successfully and o­n this occasion, the four guests have sent significant messages and best wishes to all women in Vietnam.

From left to right: Ms. Do Thuy Duong, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa, Ms. Shoko Ishikawa, Ms. Victoria Kwakwa.