Gender equality and women's empowerment: The golden key to sustainable poverty reduction.

To promote gender equality, the Vietnam Women's Union and the city of Hanoi have issued many strategic guidelines aimed at empowering women economically and supporting women's entrepreneurship, applying digital technology, and helping poor women rise out of poverty sustainably. In realizing these major policies of the Central Government and the city, Phu Thuong ward is implementing pioneering models to promote gender equality.

Empowering women as key players in poverty reduction and digital economic development.

Gender equality is no longer an isolated issue for one gender or organization, but has become a national development strategy, integrated into policies from the central to the local level. Vietnam's progress in gender equality has been recognized by the international community, alongside decisive guidance from the Vietnam Women's Union and the city of Hanoi , thereby placing women in a key position in poverty reduction and digital economic development.

Statistics show that the role of Vietnamese women in political and economic life is increasingly being affirmed. The percentage of female delegates in the 15th National Assembly is 30.26%, a remarkable achievement that not only far exceeds the 30% target but also demonstrates the profound concern of the Party and State in the planning, training, and utilization of female cadres.

According to the 2024 Global Gender Gap Index, Vietnam currently ranks 72nd out of 146 countries, while also boasting one of the highest rates of female entrepreneurs in the region, with approximately 30% of all businesses owned by women. This growth provides a foundation for translating political achievements into concrete economic benefits for women.

A large number of people from all walks of life in Phu Thuong ward attended the launching ceremony of the Action Month with the theme: "Gender equality and safety for women and girls in the digital age". Photo: Nguyen Anh

The Vietnam Women's Union has identified women's economic empowerment as a core solution for sustainable poverty reduction. The strategic orientation focuses on economic empowerment through the "Supporting Women's Entrepreneurship" project (2017-2025).

The effectiveness of this work is evidenced by the data: In a short period, more than 200,000 women have been supported with business opportunities, with a total capital mobilized for business startups reaching nearly 164 trillion VND. This not only addresses livelihoods but also contributes to the overall achievements of the nation. Although the national multidimensional poverty rate in 2024 has sharply decreased to 4.06%, the majority of the most vulnerable poor households are still concentrated in groups headed by women, highlighting the urgent role of focused support policies that incorporate gender considerations.

Based on this reality, the Vietnam Women's Union requires its staff to be closely involved with the grassroots, maintaining close ties with members and women, in order to effectively implement livelihood support activities and microcredit programs. Microcredit plays a crucial role in increasing economic empowerment.

Numerous domestic and international studies indicate that women, when earning an income, tend to prioritize spending on education, healthcare, and essential family needs more than men. This creates a long-term ripple effect of empowering women economically, enhancing children's development opportunities, and breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty.

Deputy Chairman of Phu Thuong Ward People's Committee, Bui The Cuong, presents health insurance cards to disadvantaged residents in the ward. Photo: Nguyen Anh

Hanoi has concretized national guidelines with action plans specific to the city. The city issued the "Support for Women in Hanoi to Start Businesses in the Period 2018-2025," focusing on providing capital, business skills, and developing collective economic models managed by women. This creates a stable value chain and minimizes risks for poor women.

In addition, the city places special emphasis on improving the quality of education and healthcare for women and children. The city also focuses on supporting poor women in accessing high-quality vocational training programs and advanced knowledge enhancement programs, especially in digital technology.

With the theme for the 2025 Action Month being "Gender Equality and Safety for Women and Girls in the Digital Age," Hanoi emphasizes the need to equip women with digital knowledge and skills, both to seize online business opportunities and to protect themselves from sophisticated forms of cyber violence. Preventing and responding to violence, demonstrated through enhanced dissemination of laws on gender equality, is considered a prerequisite for women to focus on economic development.

Transform direction into intrinsic strength.

Implementing the major guidelines of the Central Government and the city on gender equality, Phu Thuong ward has become a prime example of flexible adaptation in bringing the strategic directions of the Central Government and the city into local practice.

On December 11-12, the People's Committee of Phu Thuong Ward, in coordination with the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the ward, organized the launching ceremony for the action month with the theme: "Gender Equality and Safety for Women and Girls in the Digital Age." The action month aims to enhance the role, responsibility, and effectiveness of coordination among departments and agencies in the field of gender equality, thereby mobilizing the combined strength of the entire political system and the whole population to participate in implementing gender equality, preventing and responding to gender-based violence. From there, it promotes community action to protect the safety of women and girls from risks and dangers when accessing online platforms.

The Action Month also aims to raise awareness to change unequal gender perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors, encouraging women to participate actively, proactively, and safely on online platforms, contributing to building a more equal and safer environment in the digital age.

According to Bui The Cuong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Thuong Ward, gender equality is identified as an important and continuous task in the socio-economic development of the locality. Photo: Nguyen Anh

According to Bui The Cuong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Thuong Ward, gender equality is identified as an important and continuous task in socio-economic development.

Phu Thuong has seriously implemented the planning, training, and development of female cadres, contributing to strengthening the political system. The percentage of female cadres participating in the ward's political system continues to increase, holding key positions. This is not only progress in terms of organization but also ensures gender mainstreaming in policies.

The contributions of female officials have played a crucial role in improving the effectiveness of state management, especially in implementing social security policies, livelihood support, and preventing and combating domestic violence in a more practical and humane way, directly supporting vulnerable women, thereby indirectly promoting poverty reduction.

The work of preventing and combating gender-based violence is carried out synchronously and closely linked with the "All people unite to build a cultured life in residential areas" movement. The ward maintains and effectively promotes exemplary community models, such as: "Trusted addresses in the community" to provide timely support to cases at risk of violence and the "Core women in disseminating information on preventing and combating gender-based violence" group participating in communication and mobilizing households to commit to a violence-free environment.

Through coordinated and regular activities, people's awareness of gender equality and the prevention and control of domestic violence has been increasingly enhanced; positive cultural values within families and communities have been strengthened. Effective operational models have made a significant contribution to building a safe and healthy living environment, ensuring the legitimate rights and interests of women and children in the ward, and freeing women from the burden of violence so that they can wholeheartedly focus on economic development.

Nguyen Tien Manh, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Phu Thuong Ward, presents health insurance cards to disadvantaged residents in the area. Photo: Nguyen Anh

In particular, Phu Thuong ward has promptly grasped the trend, considering digital transformation as a tool to shorten the path out of poverty for women. The ward has coordinated and organized many activities to support women's entrepreneurship, such as assisting in accessing preferential loan capital; training in online business skills and guiding the use of digital platforms in promoting and selling products.

Notably, the ward has pioneered the development of cashless payment streets, guided the application of sales management software and digital communication tools. This has helped women confidently start businesses, develop household economies, adapt quickly to the trend of digital transformation, contribute to increased income and quality of life, and ultimately become self-reliant in the digital age.

To effectively implement the theme of the 2025 Action Month: “Gender Equality and Safety for Women and Girls in the Digital Age,” the People's Committee of Phu Thuong Ward commits to promoting digital transformation in management, public services, and emulation movements. Along with strengthening legal awareness campaigns in the digital environment, the ward will promote the exemplary role of men in building equal, progressive, and happy families, sharing care responsibilities and giving women more time to develop economically.

The concrete actions in Phu Thuong have clearly demonstrated that gender equality is not just a slogan, but a process of action built on national policy and concretized through effective socio-economic models at the local level. This is also the strongest affirmation of the message: "Gender equality - the foundation of sustainable development and happiness."

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/binh-dang-gioi-and-quyen-nang-phu-nu-chia-khoa-vang-de-giam-ngheo-ben-vung-726541.html