Minister highlights Vietnam’s commitment to gender equality at UN forum

An overview of the opening of the session of the 63rd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women

Addressing the 63rd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York on March 13, the minister highlighted Vietnam’s efforts towards achieving the goal, despite the challenges Vietnam and many other UN members are facing, such as expanding rich-poor gaps, aging populations and climate change.

Dung expressed his support for key issues on the agenda of the session, which he said demonstrate the harmonious combination of the International Human Rights Convention, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women as well as the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

He said that after 25 years of implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, giant steps have been made in gender equality as well as women and children’s empowerment.

The CSW has become a leading forum on gender equality and a source of ideas, strategy and directions to improve gender equality for UN members, he said.

The integration and empowerment of women has brought significant positive impacts to each country, said Minister Dung, citing reports that show success in reducing income and non-income inequality through progressive policies in economy and society.

Inclusive growth and sustainable development is something all member countries are aiming for, he stated.

The minister affirmed the stance of Vietnam and many other UN members in considering ensuring social welfare the leading goal in national development.

He underscored four key pillars in the field, including policies to promote sustainable employment and reduce poverty for women and girls; social insurance policies; social support policies; and policies ensuring basic social services.

At the session, the Vietnamese official highlighted several of Vietnam’s achievements of Vietnam in reducing gender inequality, noting that 71.2 percent of Vietnamese women are engaging in the workforce. The Vietnamese Government has committed to putting aside 2.6 percent of GDP for social support policies for disadvantageous groups, including women and girls. A survey from the Mastercard said the ratio of women business owners in Vietnam is 31.3 percent, ranking sixth among 57 surveyed countries. Vietnam is also among leading countries in the index of women’s opportunities and economic engagement.

He proposed that the review of 25 years of implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action seek suitable recommendations at national, regional and global levels.

Stressing the need for stronger investment in social welfare, education, poverty reduction, economic empowerment and climate change response, the minister called on UN members to spend an adequate part of their GDP on social welfare services.

He cited researches showing that for every 2 percent of GDP spent on the services, the number of jobs will increase about 2.4-6.1 percent.

The 63rdsession of the CSW is underway in New York until March 22 with the participation of more than 100 vice presidents, deputy prime ministers and ministers from countries around the world, along with representatives from multilateral and non-governmental organisations.