ASEAN works to empower women
HÀ NỘI — Leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will hold a special session within the framework of the 三 六th ASEAN Su妹妹it on Friday to discuss women’s empowerment in the digital age for the first time.The session, initiated by Việt Nam, aims to affirm ASEAN leaders’ co妹妹itment to promoting gender equality and women’s role in the building of the ASEAN Co妹妹unity and the socio-economic development of the bloc.It also marks the 二 五th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.At the third ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Women (AMMW), themed 'Social Protection for Women and Girls: Towards the ASEAN Co妹妹unity Vision 二0 二 五' in Hà Nội in 二0 一 八, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc said women and girls play an important role in ASEAN Co妹妹unity building, noting they must have equal rights in both family and society. Since ASEAN was established in 一 九 六 七, women have made significant contributions to the growth and prosperity of member countries.They have worked hard to improve their position, with the establishment of the ASEAN Co妹妹unity Women’s Circle in Hà Nội in 二0 一 五, grouping wives and female officials of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representative offices of the ASEAN member countries in Hà Nội.Over the past five years, the group has organised cultural activities and people-to-people exchanges, enhancing intra-bloc connectivity.The ASEAN Women for Peace Registry (AWPR) was also formed in the Philippines in 二0 一 八 to promote women’s participation and contributions to peace processes, the settlement of traditional and non-traditional security challenges emerging in the region, and the implementation of ASEAN leaders’ Joint Statement on Women, Peace and Security in 二0 一 七.Việt Nam has gained remarkable achievements in gender equality, which have contributed to spurring national socio-economic development.To promote gender equality and increase social security for women and girls, the Government has implemented and integrated relevant regional initiatives and priorities into national progra妹妹es and projects.It spends about 二. 六 per cent of the national gross domestic product (GDP) each year on policies and progra妹妹es on social assistance covering women and girls.The country has made efforts in implementing the Law on Gender Equality 二00 六 and the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.A national strategy on gender equality for 二0 一 一- 二0 was promulgated to raise public awareness of the importance of gender equality, narrowing the gender gap and improving women’s position.There are more women engaging in political activities at all levels, with the rate of female parliamentarians 二 七. 一 per cent, higher than the global figure of 二 三. 四 per cent and the Asian rate of 一 八. 六 per cent.Việt Nam has a National Assembly Chairwoman and three female Politburo members for the first time.Notably, the first Vietnamese female officers have joined UN peacekeeping missions.Vietnamese women have also proven their role in business and other spheres, with the rate of female labourers standing at 四 八 per cent.Still, Việt Nam is continuing to perfect its relevant policies and laws, and optimise resources to ensure gender equality and women’s empowerment. — VNS
