Participants at the event (Photo: phunuvietnam.vn) The event was part of the activities to respond to the campaign of "Digitalfor All: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality" launched by the UN, aiming to share experience and call forefforts to promote gender equality and to encourage women to master science,technology, engineering, math, and cyberspace.
Addressing the event,President of the VWU Ha Thi Nga said that gender equality in science andtechnology will help bring into play the strengths of both genders and thegreat potential of that country's human resources.
However, Nga said that in reality, gender gaps remain in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering andMathematics (STEM). He noted that the number of women engaging in thefield and hold leadership position is modest.
According to a UN reportin 2022, women made up only 22% of the workforce in the artificial intelligencesector and 28% of the engineering graduates.
Meanwhile, data showedthat 38% of women operating online in different countries have experiencedcyber-violence.
In order to change thesituation, Nga underlined the need for joint efforts of stakeholders in pushingchanges in macro-economic policies and making specific interventions for greaterand more equal participation and benefits of women and girls from science andtechnology advances, helping them acquire knowledge and skills to protectthemselves amid non-traditional challenges, especially cybersecurity.
Belarusian Ambassadorto Vietnam Vladimir Baravikov stressed the necessity of due and close attentionfrom the Government, agencies, as well as the general education system toensuring equal rights in accessing education opportunities and digital technology,creating favourable conditions for women to contribute to, participate and benefitfrom STEM and in cyberspace.
Junior Colonel NguyenDinh Do Thi, deputy head of the Consultation Office under the Ministry ofPublic Security’s Department of Cyber Security and Hi-tech Crime Prevention, said that being fully aware of the benefits and harms of technology andcyberspace will help women and children protect themselves against invisibleand non-traditional security challenges.
At the forum,participants shared initiatives and experience in promoting women and girls’ engagementin STEM and the building of a safety environment for women and girls./.
VNA
