Gender equality should be viewed in accordance with the new situation.

On the occasion of Vietnamese Women's Day (October 20), Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Son, Principal of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, said that gender equality should be viewed in accordance with the new situation.

Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Son expressed his opinion that gender equality should be viewed in accordance with the new situation. (Photo: NVCC)

Gender gap persists

In recent years, Vietnam has been highly appreciated by the international community for its efforts in achieving gender equality. What is your perspective on this issue?

First of all, we need to acknowledge that after 12 years of implementation, Vietnam's National Strategy on Gender Equality for the 2011-2020 period has achieved many encouraging results, contributing to narrowing the gender gap in various fields, making a positive contribution to the country's socio -economic development. However, in addition to the achievements, gender gaps in Vietnam still exist in many different fields such as education, health, etc.

In particular, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused the unemployment rate of female workers to be higher than that of male workers. Household chores have arisen more frequently and women are still the main force performing these tasks but have not been adequately recognized. Gender issues in the context of Covid-19, although receiving attention, have not yet met all the needs...

However, from a general perspective, the implementation of gender equality has made significant progress. The role of women is recognized and respected. The number of female leaders at all levels is guaranteed and affirmed through certain achievements. Women create effects and images that bring positive inspiration in life.

In your opinion, how should we focus on integrating gender equality into social security policies?

In 2022-2023, the world and Vietnam will enter the recovery phase after the Covid-19 pandemic with many challenges to socio-economic development, strongly affecting people's lives, especially vulnerable groups such as women and children. With the strong determination of the Party and State, social security, women's rights and gender equality have made remarkable progress.

In the solutions and policies to promptly support people, businesses and workers that have been issued and promptly implemented, the issues of gender equality and children have been practically integrated such as: additional support for pregnant workers or those raising children under 6 years old; orphans due to the Covid-19 pandemic; social protection beneficiaries, children... contributing to stabilizing life, ensuring social security, and narrowing the gender gap.

In general, gender equality has been integrated into social security policies in a diverse and rich way and has undergone many significant improvements.

What is the solid foundation for implementing national gender equality goals in the coming period?

The solid foundation for implementing national gender equality goals in the coming period is the remarkable achievements that our country has achieved. For example, the percentage of female deputies in the 15th National Assembly reached 30.26%, 3.46% higher than the 14th National Assembly and the highest since the 5th National Assembly (currently ranked 62/190 countries); the percentage of female salaried workers is 48.3%.

The rate of women-owned enterprises reached 26.5%, contributing to the progress index of women in Vietnam's enterprises ranking 9th out of 58 countries; ranking 2nd out of 6 Southeast Asian countries studied. Notably, for the first time in history, the Vietnamese women's football team won a ticket to the final round of the 2023 Women's World Cup. Women in the Vietnamese armed forces participated effectively and responsibly in the United Nations peacekeeping force.

In the current period, adapting to the new context, Vietnam's socio-economic development strategy continues to identify gender equality, women's advancement and ensuring a reasonable gender balance as a goal in the country's development orientation.

Overall, in my opinion, to achieve national goals on gender equality related to: political goals, economic and labor goals, goals in family life and prevention and response to gender-based violence, goals in the health sector, goals in the education and training sector, goals in the information and communication sector, it is still necessary to rely on the foundation of awareness that must be thoroughly understood, the constant efforts from the practice of good examples of women; having more opportunities for gender equality to truly develop in the right sense...

Gender equality is not equality

The fight for feminism is becoming a trend, but how should equality be viewed to suit the new situation?

Nowadays, women will hardly gain respect from family members and society if they have low qualifications, no stable job or income, and lack of confidence, the need to assert themselves and the effort to improve themselves towards happiness. This greatly affects the process of empowering women as well as the need to assert their rights and exploit their rights in a true way.

Therefore, it is necessary to ensure gender equality in employment and income, creating maximum conditions for women to develop economically and socially. The 1946 Constitution stipulates that women are equal to men in all aspects. All Vietnamese citizens aged 18 and over, regardless of gender, have the right to vote.

In addition, the 2006 Law on Gender Equality sets the goal: “Eliminate gender discrimination, create equal opportunities for men and women in socio-economic development and human resource development, move towards genuine gender equality between men and women and establish and strengthen cooperative and supportive relationships between men and women in all areas of social and family life”.

Thus, although the fight for feminism is becoming a trend, equality should be viewed in accordance with the new situation with arguments.

Specifically, women have a need for gender equality and this need is legitimate. Gender equality is not simply, mechanically understood equality, but an adjustment to be respected, properly evaluated, and treated civilly in the spirit of recognition and honor.

At the same time, gender equality is based on exploiting gender strengths, recognizing the advantages and strengths of each gender and gender characteristics. Gender equality does not erase boundaries but considers social characteristics from a positive, modern perspective.

Gender equality is not simply equality, but an adjustment to be respected, properly evaluated, and treated civilly in the spirit of recognition and honor. (Photo: Internet)

Vietnam is making great strides in eliminating gender inequality. What are the achievements in narrowing the gender gap in our country? What are the barriers, in your opinion?

Vietnam's strategy to promote gender equality is demonstrated through many policies of the Party and State, contributing to narrowing the gender gap in various fields and actively contributing to the socio-economic development process.

This is most clearly demonstrated in the participation of women in leadership and management positions to gradually reduce the gender gap in the political field. Vietnam ranks 60th in the world, 4th in Asia and first in the Inter-Parliamentary Union of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the proportion of women participating in elected bodies; 3rd in the ASEAN region and 47th out of 187 countries in the world participating in the ranking of gender equality in politics and management. Currently, the proportion of leaders and managers in Party and State agencies has been improved in quantity and especially in quality.

Vietnam is in the top 1/3 of countries in terms of the proportion of female National Assembly deputies and the proportion of women participating in the workforce, with the proportion of female National Assembly deputies reaching over 30%. In addition, evidence shows that women have asserted themselves through valuable achievements in many different fields and on different scales.

However, women and girls are still disadvantaged and vulnerable to risks and need more equal opportunities. Specifically, gender bias and gender-based violence are still a pressing issue, and the rate of women being abused and subjected to violence is still very high.

One of the reasons why gender bias and gender inequality lead to gender-based violence comes from women’s thinking and acceptance. Many women have the misconception that husbands and boyfriends have the right to make decisions, have the right to beat their wives, or push housework onto women. Statistics show that there are still many barriers and challenges in the process of achieving gender equality and eliminating gender bias.

Vietnam has made efforts to raise awareness of gender equality, change attitudes and gender stereotypes in society; promote international cooperation in addressing gender equality, especially among disadvantaged groups and in strategic areas such as education, health, and employment.

These barriers, viewed from a multi-dimensional perspective, still partly stem from the gender mindset of a segment of women who are not really positive about true gender equality. At the same time, the concept of some men is still quite heavy and negative about gender equality. Therefore, cultural burdens are still challenges that need to continue to change and adjust.

Women need to build personal image

In the digital age, what do you think Vietnamese women need to do to stay ahead of the rapid changes of the times and build their personal image?

In today’s digital age, modern women need to build their personal image anytime, anywhere. Because, through personal image, they have more opportunities in work, life, relationships… That personal image comes not only from gestures, language, clothing but also the way of communication and behavior. Women also need to observe a lot, learn by themselves, make themselves more professional, more graceful.

It can be said that, not only stopping at being capable, Vietnamese women are increasingly modern, capable and independent. They are intelligent, individualistic, independent and increasingly asserting their voice as well as consolidating their position.

Women will not be out of step when they think positively, love themselves, and boldly change to make themselves more satisfied and happier. In addition, women need to boldly think about nurturing and motivating themselves towards happiness and success.

Be proactive little by little so that your image can develop in a more complete and comprehensive direction and adjust your image to the right context and role... This journey is quite long and complicated, but requires each person to have the need to build an image, exploit the image appropriately, adaptably and create a positive effect.

Thank you!

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/gs-ts-huynh-van-son-binh-dang-gioi-nen-duoc-nhin-nhan-phu-hop-voi-tinh-hinh-moi-246653.html