Illustrative photo (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) –The International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists - Asia andPacific Nation Network (INWES-APNN) opened its eighth annual meeting in Hanoion October 18, drawing over 200 female scientists from Asia-Pacific andrepresentatives from the UN, international organisations and some ministriesand agencies of Vietnam.
Opening the event,President of the Vietnam Women’s Union Nguyen Thi Thu Ha said that the countryhas persisted in sustainable development goals, defining science and technologyas the leading national policy, and designing policies to promote genderequality and facilitate female scientists.
Women made up 43percent of total postgraduates and 21 percent of PhDs in 2014, while accountingfor 24.6 percent of professors and assistant professors in the 2012-2016period.
Many scientificresearches by women have been applied in the reality, contributing to improvingpeople’s living conditions, noted Ha.
However, she alsopointed to the modest number of women engaging in science, technology,engineering and mathematics, stressing the need for the whole society toimprove the situation.
During the three-dayevent, participants will discuss three topics – gender and gender equality inscience and technology; nutrition and food safety; and disaster risk managementand climate change adaptation.
They are scheduled to approvea Hanoi Declaration showing the vision and determination of the INWES-APNN inpromoting the engagement and contributions of women in science and technology.
On the sidelines ofthe event, an exhibition is beeing held to introduce innovative products ofVietnamese women.
Established in 2011,INWES is a global network of organisations for women in science, technology,engineering, and mathematics (STEM), reaching over 60 countries worldwide with250,000 members, and a UNESCO partner. Along with APNN, INWES includesINWES-Europe and INWES-Africa. –VNA
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