 |
| Female members of the People's Council shared their skills and experiences in their roles as elected representatives at a club meeting. Photo: NGOC QUYNH |
In the process of national development, gender equality is not only a humanitarian requirement but also a decisive factor for sustainability and fairness in all fields, especially politics . The Party and State of Vietnam have consistently upheld the importance of women's role, clearly demonstrated in their policies and guidelines throughout many terms.
Major policy, strong determination.
According to Resolution 11-NQ/TW of the Politburo on women's work during the period of accelerated industrialization and modernization of the country, the work of creating a pool of female cadres is placed within the national human resource development strategy. Directive 21-CT/TW of the Secretariat further emphasizes the requirement to build a comprehensively developed Vietnamese woman in the new era. The focus is on developing high-quality female human resources; paying attention to training, nurturing, valuing, and honoring women, especially female leaders, intellectuals , scientists, and entrepreneurs… to unleash the potential, intelligence, and aspirations of this force.
Meanwhile, Resolution 26-NQ/TW of the 12th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam has set specific goals: by 2030, there must be female cadres in the standing committees of Party committees and Party organizations at all levels; the percentage of female Party committee members at all levels must reach 20-25%; and the percentage of female National Assembly and People's Council deputies at all levels must exceed 35%. These targets are not only benchmarks but also strong political commitments to promoting gender equality…
In this context, specific action programs such as the Project to Promote Gender Equality - Strengthening the Role of Women Elected Representatives in Political Work, funded by the Governments of Ireland, Australia, and APHEDA in Vietnam, are of practical and strategic significance.
Concrete actions, practical results.
The project promoting gender equality – strengthening the role of female elected representatives in political work – was implemented in four provinces: Phu Yen, Hai Duong, Bac Kan, and Hai Phong. With the goal of contributing to the promotion of gender equality in Vietnam, the project has carried out many practical and meaningful activities to increase women's participation in leadership and management, and to improve the proportion and quality of female representatives in elected bodies.
In Phu Yen, the project is implemented in two phases: phase 1 in Dong Hoa town and Son Hoa and Tuy An districts; phase 2 expands to the two mountainous districts of Song Hinh and Dong Xuan. From August 2017 to the present, the project has established the Provincial Women's People's Council Club and a network of women representatives at the commune level, creating a space for connection and mutual support in parliamentary activities. Along with this, capacity-building training programs are regularly organized, focusing on practical skills such as technology application, planning, and public speaking skills, helping women representatives gradually improve their expertise and become more confident in their role as representatives of the electorate.
Concrete and sustained steps are contributing to a shift in the awareness and practice of gender equality in politics. When women are given opportunities and entrusted with power, they not only fulfill their roles but also contribute to a more progressive and holistically developed society.
Ms. Hoang Thi Le Hang, Head Representative of APHEDA Vietnam
These efforts have yielded positive results: The percentage of female delegates in the Provincial People's Council for the 2021-2026 term reached 28%; the percentage of female officials in the Provincial Party Standing Committee reached 25%, an increase of more than 13.33% compared to the previous term. These figures clearly demonstrate the shift in awareness and action, affirming the effectiveness of the project as well as the capacity and fortitude of female delegates in local political work.
Assessing the role of the Club of Women Deputies of the National Assembly and Provincial People's Council in the project, Ms. Dang Thi Hong Nga, the Club's Chairperson, affirmed: "Through the Club, we have more space to connect, share experiences in parliamentary activities, and support each other in improving our capabilities. Many women have therefore matured significantly in their skills, thinking, and actions, and have demonstrated a more proactive and positive role in interacting with constituents and reflecting the people's aspirations."
From the perspective of the Provincial Women's Union, Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Lien, Vice President of the Provincial Women's Union, shared: The organization recognizes the crucial role of women in politics within the gender equality strategy. Therefore, the Union has strived to work alongside and educate voters to change perceptions and garner support for female candidates.
According to Ms. Hoang Thi Le Hang, Head Representative of APHEDA Vietnam, in the coming term, leading up to the Party Congresses at all levels (2025-2030) and the National Assembly and People's Council elections for the 2026-2031 term, the project will continue to focus on improving the quality and proportion of female elected representatives. In-depth training activities on public speaking skills, action plan development, and campaigning will be widely implemented. Alongside this, community communication campaigns to raise voter awareness of the role of female elected representatives will also be strengthened.
“The project's goal is not only to increase the number of female delegates, but also to improve their quality, meaning that female delegates must truly possess the capacity for critical analysis, policy planning, and representing the voice of their constituents. Only when women are truly listened to and have their voices heard in important decision-making will the gender gap gradually narrow…,” said Ms. Hoang Thi Le Hang.
Source: https://baophuyen.vn/xa-hoi/202506/nu-dai-bieu-dan-cu-voi-binh-dang-gioi-6e91799/
Comment (0)