At the event (Photo: UNDP) Hanoi (VNA) – A workshop on gender equality and comprehensive development in plasticwaste management was held in Hanoi on August 29.
Co-hosted by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women’sUnion (VWU), the Canadian Embassy in Vietnam, and the United Nations DevelopmentProgramme (UNDP), the event aimed to share the results of the gender equalityand social inclusion (GESI) assessment report in the plastic value chain inVietnam conducted by the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) programme.It also looked to raise awareness of national partners and stakeholders inpromoting gender equality and comprehensive development in the field of plasticwaste management.
Speaking at the event, head of the VWU Central Committee’sDepartment of Information and Education Nguyen Thi Kim Dung said plasticpollution has become a major global challenge, including Vietnam. According tostatistics, around 1.8 million tonnes of plastic waste are released into theenvironment in the each year. The sorting, collection, recycling, anddisposal of plastic waste are still limited, with up to 90% of the plastic wastebeing disposed of through landfill and incineration, and only 10% recycled. Moreover, 90% of the waste collectors and scavengers are women, exposingthem to a hazardous environment impacting their health.
Patrick Haverman, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDPVietnam, said policymakers need to have additional research, data, and evidenceon issues related to plastics, gender, and social inclusion to avoid anynegative impacts on women, migrant labourers, and other vulnerable groupsduring the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)policies.
Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Shawn Steil saidCanadian-funded programmes and projects focus on supporting women's rights andlivelihoods, aiming to contribute to efforts in transitioning toward a moresustainable and circular plastic economy.
The event highlighted the need to integrate gender equalityand comprehensive development issues into the shared action plan proposed bythe VWU Central Committee, the Embassy of Canada, the UNDP Vietnam, and otheractive members of the NPAP network.
Delegates discussed ideas and solutions to steer Vietnamtowards a sustainable and comprehensive plastic circular economy that benefitseveryone./.
