Momentum maintained on advancing gender equality
Caroline T. Nyamayemombe, UN Women Representative in Việt Nam, speaks to Vietnam News Agency (VNA) about the country’s election to the UN Women Executive Board for the 2025-27 term
How do you evaluate Việt Nam's election to the UN Women Executive Board for the 2025-27 term?
I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Việt Nam on its election to the UN Women Executive Board for the term of 2025-27. This is a significant international recognition of Việt Nam's steadfast commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment. It also underscores the strong partnership between Việt Nam and UN Women at both national and global levels.
It is a well-deserved appointment given that Việt Nam has made strides in recent years to address gender disparities and advance women's rights across various sectors, including legislation, politics, education and employment.
How do you evaluate Việt Nam's efforts to ensure the rights and advancement of women?
The Government of Việt Nam has maintained its momentum on advancing gender equality. Since adopting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS), we have seen Việt Nam's world ranking on gender equality increasing from 83rd to 72nd out of 146 countries (2023, World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index). Despite the challenges that persist, I can cite four notable improvements since adoption of the SDGS:
- Việt Nam has continued to strengthen its policy and legal framework on gender equality. For instance, the law supporting SME growth (2017); amendments to the domestic violence and protection law (2022); amendments to the Labour Code (2019).
- Việt Nam has increased women’s political participation in the 2021 election, with the proportion of female deputies in the National Assembly increasing to 30 per cent – the highest since 1976, higher than the global average of 25 per cent.
- Việt Nam has among the highest female labour force participation in the world. It is almost as high as men’s (72 per cent for women compared to 82 per cent for men).
- Việt Nam recently adopted its first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security in January 2024 and has been surpassing the set target of female participation in peacekeeping operations contribution.
What are the UN Women’s recommendations for Việt Nam to promote its role as a member of the UN Women Executive Board for the 2025-27 term?
The Executive Board offers intergovernmental support and oversees the operational activities of UN Women, in alignment with the overarching policy directives of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, and in adherence to the responsibilities delineated in the UN Charter. Furthermore, it is tasked with ensuring that UN Women remains attuned to the needs and priorities of recipient nations.
During the 2025-27 board term, UN Women will adopt a new global strategy which will seek to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, of which gender equality is central.
Given Việt Nam’s own track record and history, it will bring a wealth of insights pertinent to the promotion of gender equality from its richly diverse population and a distinctive socio-cultural milieu. For instance, Việt Nam has managed to reduce multidimensional poverty and achieve middle income status, yet currently, 10.3 per cent of women globally live in extreme poverty.
There are challenges and opportunities within digital and energy transitions and enhancing women’s participation in climate change, politics, global peace and stability. Việt Nam can share its own journey and inspire other nations. These contributions are invaluable for informing innovative approaches and partnerships to advance gender equality and women's empowerment.