UNDP Resident Representative Caitlin Wiesen (Photo: UNDP)The effort not only aims to get more womenin elected positions, but also supports them to be effective when they getelected, she added.
Wiesen made the pledge on February 4 whileaddressing the launch of the research findings of a study titled “Roles ofWomen Representatives in Vietnam’s Development during the 2016-2021 Term” held bythe University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH) under Vietnam NationalUniversity-Hanoi and the UNDP.
“Women’s equal representation in leadershipand decision-making at all levels, in both public and private sectors, isessential for realising Vietnam’s socio-economic development vision and key toequitable development that leaves no one behind,” she said.
The study showed that during the 2016-2021term, the NA has its first female chairperson and 26.7 percent femalerepresentation.
UNDP’s global Human Development Report 2020ranked Vietnam 65th out of 162 countries and among the top one-third ofcountries globally for women’s share of seats in parliament.
The study provides empirical evidence ofhow women have contributed socially, economically and politically to thecountry’s progress over the past five years. This is an important foundationfor society and voters to have stronger confidence in women candidates in theupcoming National Elections.
It also recommends creating favourableconditions for NA delegates of all genders to proactively engage with votersvia all channels, making use of social networking channels; and giving womendelegates equal representation in all fields by promoting gender parity in all committeesof the legislative body.
There is nosignificant difference between women and men delegates in the amount of timethey spend on performing their delegates’ roles and mandates nor in theresponse rates in handling petitions and proposals from voters during this term,the study found.
For her part, DeputyHead of Mission/Head of Development, the Embassy of Ireland Elisa Cavacece saidthat the Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index(PAPI) has been a powerful tool for the Vietnamese Government to capturefeedback on how policy and public services have been delivered and benefitedits citizens.
The soft launchof the research findings is a useful platform for the Embassy of Ireland tosupport and engage, in order to promote gender equality and women’sempowerment, she added.
The study wascarried out with funding from the Australian Government’s Department forForeign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Irish Embassy Vietnam and UNDP Vietnam,through the Provincial Governance and PAPI research framework./.
VNA
