United Nations Under Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka will pay an official visit to Vietnam from March 28-31.

The visit is to enhance ties between UN Women and the Vietnamese Government in promoting gender equality and ensuring the rights of women.

During the visit, the guest is scheduled to hold talks with senior leaders of the Vietnamese Government and meet representatives from social organisations.

Their talks will focus on Vietnam’s achievements and UN Women’s assistance to the country in promoting gender equality, empowering women and reducing difficulties and challenges in the fields.

Mlambo-Ngcuka will deliver a speech at a policy dialogue themed “Enhancing the participation of women and female children in the social welfare system: Priorities for developing policy” to be held by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and UN Women.

She will also speak to Vietnamese students and women about issues related to safety in school and social security.

Mlambo-Ngcuka was appointed to her current post in August last year. From 2005 to 2008, she served as Deputy President of South Africa. Prior to this, she served as the country’s Minister of Minerals and Energy from 1999 to 2005, and Minister of Culture, Science and Technology in 2004.-VNA