NewYork (VNA) – Vietnam has always prioritised and implemented manypolicies aiming to create a favourable environment for women to equallyparticipate in socio-economic activities.
The statement was made by Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of Vietnam’s PermanentMission to the United Nations (UN), at an event on infrastructure in service ofwomen and gender aspects in industry and energy at the UN’s headquarters in NewYork on March 14.
The event was jointly held by Vietnam, Finland, Grenada, the UN IndustrialDevelopment Organisation (UNIDO), the UN Entity for Gender Equality and theEmpowerment of Women (UN Women), the Small Island Developing States Sustainable Energy Initiative (SIDSDOCK) and the IslandWomen Open Network (IWON).
Quy introduced Vietnam’s Law on Gender Equality which aims to enddiscriminations and create equal opportunities for both men and women toparticipate in human resources and socio-economic development, and approachinformation, capital, markets and employment, along with incentives for femaleworkers.
Vietnam is one of the countries with the highest rate of female labourers in SoutheastAsia, reaching 72.9 percent, he said, noting that women have contributed to industrialsectors like garments-textiles, leather and footwear, component assembly,electronics, chemicals and hydropower.
Many businesswomen and female scientists have been honoured for theircontributions at national, regional and international levels, the ambassadorsaid.
The event, which took place within the 63rd session of the UNCommission on the Status of Women, attracted more than 150 delegates from UNmember countries, UN agencies and non-governmental organisations.
The participants said the event’s theme is of significance in the context oflow rate of women engaging in industry and energy.
They said policies in these sectors have yet to comprehensively take intoaccount women’s demands, and fully tap their potential.
They also highlighted reciprocal relations between gender equality andsustainable and inclusive infrastructure development, saying effectiveintegration of gender aspects into energy and industry would contribute to completingsustainable development goals.
Acknowledging progress made in the awareness work, they also pointed outlimitations such as many women finding it hard to access opportunities toimprove their professional skills and capacity, especially in high-techsectors, and get promoted at work due to gender preconception anddiscrimination, and household burdens.-VNA