Hanoi forum discusses women’s role in equality, development

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan and participants at the forum (Source: VNA)

A forum opened in Hanoi on October 6 to promote understanding, solidarity, friendship and cooperation among women worldwide for targets of equality, development and peace set forth at the 4th World Conference on Women in 1995 in Beijing, China.

Co-organised by the Vietnam Women’s Union and the United Nations Women (UN Women), the event offered a chance to update international friends on Vietnam’s land, people and achievements during its 30-year reform process; women’s movements in the country; and the VWU’s operations.

Addressing the forum, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan highlighted the role played by Vietnamese women in national construction and development both in the past and at present.

Vietnam’s Constitution, the Law on Gender Equality, the Law on the Election of NA Deputies and People's Councils, the Labour Code, and the National Strategy on Gender Equality from 2011-2020 confirm the central roles and rights of Vietnamese women, Nhan said.

Vietnam is also an active member in implementing The UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action (BPA) on women, Nhan said, adding that the country also committed to realising UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) related to women.

The VFF President expressed his hope that through the forum, foreign participants would understand more about the role and position of Vietnamese women.

At the event, participants discussed the implementation of the 1995 BPA and issues related to gender in the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.

A workshop themed “Women and Peace-Security” was arranged in the framework of the forum, focusing on dealing with traditional and non-traditional security challenges for women and the role of women in maintaining peace.

Policies and initiatives to ensure equal and effective participation of women in all fields, especially in economic development and political activities, will also be on table.

The two-day forum will issue a joint statement, presenting common awareness and commitments to enhancing cooperation and action unanimity among national, regional and global women organisations for equality, development and peace.-VNA