Vietnam is elected to the UN Women Executive Board for the 2025-2027 term. (Photo: VNA) Following is the fulltext of the interview.
Reporter: How do you evaluate Vietnam's election to the UNWomen Executive Board for the 2025 - 2027 term?
UNWomen Representative: I extend myheartfelt congratulations to Vietnam on its election to the UN Women ExecutiveBoard for the term of 2025-2027. This is a significant internationalrecognition of Vietnam's steadfast commitment to gender equality and women'sempowerment. It also underscores the strong partnership between Vietnam and UNWomen at both national and global levels.
Secondly, it is awell-deserved appointment given that Vietnam has made strides in recent yearsto address gender disparities and advance women's rights across varioussectors, including legislation, politics, education, and employment.
Reporter: Vietnam has made efforts to ensure the rights andadvancement of women over the past time. Would you please evaluate theseefforts?
UNWomen Representative: TheGovernment of Vietnam has maintained its momentum on advancing gender equality.Since adopting the SDGs we have seen Vietnam's world ranking on gender equalityincreasing from 83rd to 72nd out of 146 countries (2023, WorldEconomic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index). Despite the challenges that persist,I can cite four notable improvements since adoption of the SustainableDevelopment Goals:
- Vietnam has continued to strengthen its policy and legal framework on gender equality. For instance, the Law supporting SME growth (2017); Amendments to the Domestic Violence and Protection law (2022); The Labour Code amendment (2019).
- Vietnam has increased women’s political participation in the 2021 election, with the proportion of female deputies in the National Assembly increasing to 30% - the highest since 1976, higher than the global average of 25%.
- Vietnam has among the highest female labour force participation in the world. It is almost as high as men’s (72% for women compared to 82% for men).
Vietnam recently adopted its first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security in January 2024 and has been surpassing the set target of female participation in peacekeeping operations contribution.
Caroline T. Nyamayemombe, UN Women Representative in Vietnam. (Photo: VNA) UNWomen Representative: The Executive Board offersintergovernmental support and oversees the operational activities of UN Women, inalignment with the overarching policy directives of the General Assembly, theEconomic and Social Council, and in adherence to the responsibilitiesdelineated in the UN Charter. Furthermore, it is tasked with ensuring that UN Womenremains attuned to the needs and priorities of recipient nations.
During the 2025-2027board term, UN Women will adopt a new global strategy which will seek toaccelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, of whichgender equality is central.
Given Vietnam’s owntrack record and history, it will bring a wealth of insights pertinent to thepromotion of gender equality from its richly diverse population and adistinctive socio-cultural milieu. For instance, Vietnam has managed to reducemultidimensional poverty and achieve middle income status, yet currently, 10.3%of women globally live in extreme poverty. There are challenges andopportunities within digital and energy transitions and enhancing women’sparticipation in climate change, politics, global peace and stability. Vietnamcan share its own journey and inspire other nations. These contributions areinvaluable for informing innovative approaches and partnerships to advance genderequality and women's empowerment./.
VNA
