Vietnam is a bright light among the developing nations in carrying out the Millennium Development Goals, and one of the countries in Southeast Asia winning high praise from the international community for its gender development index.
This statement was read by a representative of the United Nations at a seminar in Hanoi on March 7, on the implementation of laws on gender equality, organised by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the National Committee for the Advancement of Women in Vietnam, on occasion of International Women’s Day.
A representative from the National Committee for the Advancement of Women in Vietnam said that at present the gap between males and females in the fields of economics, education, social welfare, has narrowed considerably.
Participation of both the genders in social activities is almost equal, with females being 83 per cent and males 85 per cent.
However, the proportion of women in management jobs is still less comparatively. According to the latest World Bank report, up to 70 per cent of female labourers work in the unorganised sector while more than 60 per cent have to work overtime by four hours a day in the organised sector.
Addressing the seminar, Pham Thi Hai Chuyen, Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, affirmed that the Government and the Party is working towards amending the law to implement gender equality to ensure equal opportunities for women, in all walks of life.