The annual conference on women’s contributions to the country’s development as well as international integration was held in Hanoi on September 14 with nearly 150 delegates from various ministries, sectors, Party organisations, the National Assembly (NA), and international organisations taking part.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dao Viet Trung said that Vietnam has made great strides in gender equality and increasing the number of women in senior positions which has helped to elevate women’s status and roles in society. Currently, women are engaged in every production and business operations.

Vietnam is taking the lead in Southeast Asia with a rising number of female (NA) deputies, from 3 percent to nearly 26 percent at present.

Over the past two years, the project “Empowerment of Women in the Public Sector in the Context of International Economic Integration” (EOWP) has provided support programmes for hundreds of female cadres from 50 ministries, sectors, Party organisations, NA, social organisations and schools.

Setsuko Yamazaki, UNDP Country Director said that helping women to enhance their role in key areas is a major sustainable development target for the UNDP. This year, the UN has defined gender equality as one of the eight priority areas, in its action programme for a better world.

The delegates discussed gender quality and women’s management roles. Their proposals on the issues will be considered to draw up legislation on gender quality and development of female cadres.

Source: VOV