Vietnam commits and prioritizes gender equality

"Vietnam commits and prioritizes gender equality despite difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic” – said Ms.Nguyen Thi Ha, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs at the online APEC Women and the Economic Forum 2021 (Ministerial Conference) on September 24.

At the conference, Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Ha shared about the Government's new and outstanding policies to support people and businesses facing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In particular, children and workers who are pregnant, nursing or taking care of children under 6 years old are supported at a higher level with simple and timely procedures.

In addition, the policy of prioritizing COVID-19 vaccination is also extended to over 13 weeks-pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

Strengthened support services and prevention and response to violence against women and children have contributed to ensuring social security and reducing inequalities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Ha emphasized that in the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam commits and prioritizes gender equality through promulgating and implementing strategies and programs to promote gender equality until the end of 2030.

Vietnam also contributes to realizing the goals set out by APEC in the La Serena Roadmap on women and inclusive growth.

These results give confidence that Vietnamese women will have a more important role in policy making and social management in the post-COVID-19 recovery period.

At the same time, the Deputy Minister suggested that APEC member economies continue to support each other in solving the most urgent issues for women, including: ensuring health, creating jobs and a sustainable source of income, support women-owned businesses and businesses with a high percentage of female employees to recover after COVID-19; fair vaccine sharing, especially ensuring women's access to vaccines.

The Forum adopted a Joint Statement demonstrating the determination of the whole region to take measures to promote gender equality and empower women to recover after the COVID-19 pandemic