In opening the forum, Chairman of theVietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Vu Tien Loc saidpromoting women’s involvement in economic activities plays a crucialrole in realising gender equality, promoting social progress and helpingimplement the Party and State’s policies to develop the female businesscommunity in Vietnam.
International LabourOrganisation (ILO) Country Director Gyorgy Sziraczki stressed that it isimpossible to eradicate poverty, enhance prosperity and sustainabledevelopment unless women are empowered and fully involved in economicactivities.
UN Women Chief Representative in Vietnam ShokoIshikawa said it is vital to remove barriers to women’s involvement inlabour market by strengthening reform and ensuring the best workingconditions and human rights for both women and men. She added that thesalary gap between men and women in Vietnam widened by 2 percent in the2008-2011 period compared to the level in the previous decade, while theglobal gap is closing in.
At the forum, participants focuseddiscussions on issues related to creating favourable conditions forbusinesswomen’s development and measures to further boost theeffectiveness of enterprises run by female leaders.
Delegates also shared the experience of Japanese businesses in empowering women at the workplace.-VNA