At the event (Photo: VNA) Manama (VNA) – Secretary General of the VietnameseNational Assembly Bui Van Cuong delivered a speech on gender equality inparliaments at the plenary session of the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments(ASGP) in Manama, the capital city of Bahrain on March 13 (local time).
Cuong affirmed that promoting gender equality and empowering women is theconsistent policy of the Vietnamese Party and State, as stipulated in theConstitution and laws. The Vietnamese NA passed many important laws such as theLaw on Gender Equality and the Law on Election of Deputies to the NA and People'sCouncils to protect and promote the empowerment of women, and encourage women'sparticipation in political and socio-economic activities. Bills submitted tothe legislature for consideration and approval must all have gender impactassessments.
The Vietnamese NA StandingCommittee provided close guidance on enhancing skills training for femalecandidates joining in election campaigns, as well as for female NA deputiesafter they are elected. It also raised public awareness of women’s role in theNA, he said.
Secretaries-General atthe event were impressed by the figures showing the progress of gender equalityin the Vietnamese legislature in recent years, with 24.2% of female deputies inthe 13th legislature (2011-2016), 27.31% in the 14th legislature (2016-2021) and 30.26% in the 15th legislature (2021-2026).
The Vietnamese NAcurrently ranks 64th in terms of the percentage of female deputiesaccording to the February 2023 Global Data on National Parliaments released bythe Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
The delegates werealso impressed by the fact that the Vietnamese legislature had a femaleChairwoman during its 14th tenure, as well as the activities of its femaledeputies.
Cuong suggested thatASGP produce a report summarising experience and recommendations while the IPU adopt resolutions, reports or statements regarding gender equalityin parliaments. Based on that, parliaments commit to specific actions forimplementation.
He called for promotinginter-parliamentary cooperation and collaboration between member countries'parliaments and UN organisations and international forums on women to betterprotect women's rights. Progressive countries in gender equality shouldstrengthen their sharing of experience with other countries in this field.
The IPU was urged toenhance skills training for core female parliamentarians who will later play anintegral role in training counterparts in their own countries./.
