This is the first country visit of Mr. Gill to Viet Nam since starting his role in June 2022 with the following objectives:To foster high-level discussions on digital transformation and AI governance, and Viet Nam’s initiatives in these emerging fields, including efforts to build a national innovation ecosystem; To deepen understanding and implementation of the Global Digital Compact, which provides a comprehensive framework for the global governance of digital technology and AI; andTo engage with multiple stakeholders, including youth, to better understand the needs of various segments of the Vietnamese society in inclusive digital transformation and ethical use of AI.During the 2-day visit hosted by the Viet Nam’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Under-Secretary-General Gill will have high-level meetings with leaders of the Government, the National Assembly, the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, line ministries, as well as serve as Key Note Speaker at the Multi-stakeholder dialogue on AI Governance (co-organized by MOST and the UN in Viet Nam) and the Youth-led dialogue on Digital transformation and AI Governance (organized by the UN in Viet Nam) with the participation of innovators, academics and students.The important visit of the Under-Secretary-General for Digital and Emerging Technologies and United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology underscores Viet Nam’s growing role in the global AI conversation focusing on ethical AI deployment, governance, international collaboration, the role of the United Nations in shaping AI’s future, and the equality of opportunities in AI. ENDS*Mr. Amandeep Singh Gill was appointed United Nations Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology in June 2022 and serves as United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Digital and Emerging Technologies. In this role, he spearheads the Secretary-General's strategic initiatives in technology, facilitates coordination across the UN system and engages with a diverse array of stakeholders and partners globally. He is also a member of the Secretary-General's High Level Advisory Body on AI and of his Scientific Advisory Board. His extensive experience in technology and diplomacy includes serving as Executive Director and co-lead of the UN Secretary-General's High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation (2018-2019) and as India's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva (2016-2018). In recognition of his influential work in the field of artificial intelligence, TIME magazine named Mr. Gill one of the 100 most influential people in AI in 2024. 

 On November 15, 2024, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Security and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), launched the 2024 National Action Month on Gender Equality and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response, under the theme: "Ensuring Social Welfare, Empowering and Enabling Women and Girls to Achieve Gender Equality and Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls."The event was attended by Mr. Đào Ngọc Dung, Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, and Chairperson of the National Committee for the Advancement of Women in Viet Nam; Lieutenant General Lê Văn Tuyến, Deputy Minister Public Security, Madame Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam; leaders of central ministries and agencies; representatives from provincial Departments of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs; ambassadors; representatives of international organizations, the private sector; and over 800 delegates from the People's Public Security Forces.In recent years, the Party, State, and Government of Viet Nam have made significant efforts to ensure social welfare, promote gender equality, and prevent and respond to gender-based violence, particularly violence against women and children. Resolution No. 42-NQ/TW, dated November 24, 2023, from the 8th Plenary Session of the 13th Party Central Committee, emphasized that social policy must prioritize care for and empowerment of the people, centering the people as the core, driver, and resource for sustainable development.In his opening remarks, Minister Đào Ngọc Dung highlighted:
"Social welfare, measures to promote equality, and attention to the legitimate needs and interests of women and children must remain priorities. Under this year’s theme, the National Action Month emphasizes the importance of maintaining a stable, equitable, democratic society while ensuring social welfare, security, and safety for the people, especially for women and girls."This year's launch event spotlighted the involvement of the People's Public Security Forces, marking their commitment to gender equality and to gender-based violence prevention and response.Lieutenant General Lê Văn Tuyến underscored:
"The Ministry of Public Security has always directed the police forces at all levels to coordinate with relevant organizations in early detection, timely intervention, and proper handling of gender-based violence cases, illegal marriage brokerage, to protect victims and survivors. Alongside efforts to combat crimes against child abuse and human trafficking, these missions will continue to be a priority across the People's Public Security Forces."With concerted efforts from ministries, agencies, and local governments, gender equality in Viet Nam has achieved remarkable progress:The representation of women in Party committees across terms has increased.Women occupy key leadership roles in 59% of ministries and equivalent agencies.Women hold key leadership positions in 74.6% of provincial governments.Female representation in the 15th National Assembly stands at 30.26%, surpassing global and regional averages.The gender gap across education levels has narrowed.Support services for survivors of gender-based violence have expanded and improved in quality.Women’s roles in the economy have strengthened, with numerous female entrepreneurs and executives recognized globally.Additionally, Vietnamese female officers serving in UN peacekeeping missions have demonstrated the vital potential of women in addressing diverse challenges in the Women, Peace and Security agenda.According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2024 by the World Economic Forum, Viet Nam’s gender equality ranking rose to 72nd out of 146 countries, an 11-place improvement since 2022. On April 9, 2024, the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) elected Viet Nam to the Executive Board of UN Women for the 2025–2027 term, affirming Viet Nam’s growing stature on the international stage.Representing the UN in Viet Nam, Madame Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam stated: "The United Nations supports enhancing the capacity of the Vietnamese police in handling cases with sensitivity while ensuring that investigation processes are child-friendly, victim-friendly, gender-sensitive as well as gender responsive. Together, we have ensured that the police are fully equipped and trained to instill confidence and safety in women and children in reporting cases; and in seeking help from the authorities.”Despite significant progress, challenges persist. Gender stereotypes remain a major barrier, gender imbalances at birth are still high, and child marriage and adolescent pregnancy remain prevalent in ethnic minority areas. Violence against women and children continues, with women disproportionately bearing the burden of household and caregiving responsibilities. Emerging issues such as population aging, climate change and natural disasters have significantly impacted the socio-economic development process and people's lives, with women and children are among the most affected groups. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive response from the entire political system and society at large. The formulation of policies and laws must go hand in hand with the responsibility and efforts of functional agencies in implementation to ensure that the laws are effectively applied in practice. Additionally, emphasis must be placed on the proactive and active roles of media agencies in changing traditional perceptions, gender stereotypes, and gender-based violence. More importantly, women and children themselves should also be proactive in sharing their experiences, seeking help to address issues of violence and abuse, and equipping themselves with the knowledge and skills to prevent these issues.Minister Đào Ngọc Dung called on all ministries, agencies, organizations, local governments, international partners, media, and every person to commit to practical and effective actions promoting gender equality for the prosperity and happiness of all individuals, families, and society.The National Action Month launch marked the start of a national communication campaign on gender equality and gender-based violence prevention & response. Following the ceremony, side events such as parades and martial arts demonstrations by the People’s Public Security Forces were held. Thousands of activities supporting the National Action Month are planned nationwide.The National Action Month for Gender Equality and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response is held annually from November 15 to December 15. All provinces, as well as many ministries and central agencies, have developed plans and implemented activities in response to this National Action Month. In 2023 alone, ministries, sectors, and localities carried out over 6,000 communication activities with more than 950,000 participants (of whom approximately 30% were men); nearly 480,000 communication materials were distributed; nearly 3,800 conferences, seminars, forums, and specialized discussions were organized; 57,683 news pieces and articles were produced and disseminated through mass media; and over 1.4 million leaflets and communication products were developed. It is estimated that the messages of the National Action Month have reached and engaged over 10 million people.For more information, please contact:
Gender Equality Department, Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs
Address: 12 Ngo Quyen Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Phone: +84 24 3825 3875
Email: vubdg@molisa.gov.vn 

  The “Water is Life” project, funded by the Government of Japan and led by UN Women in collaboration with the Women’s Unions of Ca Mau and Ninh Thuan, is a year-long project running from 2024 to 2025. By providing water storage tanks, filtration systems, efficient water-saving equipment, and targeted communication programs, this project aims to enhance women’s sustainable access to clean water, improve their livelihoods, and contribute to the prevention of gender-based violence in these provinces.“Women carry the primary responsibility for water collection and caregiving in their households, making them the first and hardest hit by water scarcity,” said Ms. Caroline Nyamayemombe, UN Women Representative in Viet Nam. “The ‘Water is Life’ project not only eases these burdens by securing vital water supplies but also empowers women in the frontline of building community resilience against climate impacts.” Due to water scarcity, women often spend an additional two to three hours each day collecting water, which affects their health, limits work opportunities, and increases their exposure to gender-based violence when traveling far from home. Additionally, a lack of clean water contributes to the spread of infectious diseases, especially impacting children, pregnant women and the elderly, and thereby increasing caregiving responsibilities.As part of this project, UN Women and the Government of Japan are providing water tanks to households and filtration systems to schools and health centers to improve sanitation for children and local residents. Furthermore, in alignment with the provinces’ development plans for water provision, this project is establishing linkages with private sector investors in water-saving technologies, with a commitment to empowering women, as the provinces continues to pursue long term solutions of this climate-induced issue. With the Government of Japan’s support, it is estimated that 7,200 people, especially vulnerable women, will benefit from these efforts.“We hope that this project will improve access to clean water for women and children living in Ca Mau, and that this will lead to the revitalization of agriculture and other industries, as well as securing livelihoods for women in vulnerable positions”, said Mr. Ito Naoki, the Ambassador of Japan to Viet Nam. NFrom November 5 through the end of December 2024, more than 420 women in Khanh Binh Tay Commune, Tran Van Thoi District, Ca Mau, will receive water storage tanks to help reduce time spent on water collection, lighten caregiving burdens, and protect family health. Additionally, 200 women in need of improved agricultural irrigation will receive financial support for water-saving irrigation equipment, following the declaration of a Level 2 drought emergency in Ca Mau. Facing severe drought, significant saltwater intrusion, and a heightened risk of wildfires, Ca Mau and Ninh Thuan are among Viet Nam’s most climate-vulnerable regions. Prolonged droughts are damaging agriculture and impacting the health and livelihoods of residents, particularly women and children responsible for household water supplies. In Ca Mau, saltwater intrusion in 2020 affected over 29,644 hectares of farmland, drastically reducing rice and vegetable yields and costing an estimated VND 107 billion. Rising water scarcity has forced over 20,000 households to buy water at high prices, affecting their ability to afford other essentials.In Ninh Thuan—the driest province in Viet Nam—prolonged droughts led to over 7,873 hectares of farmland being abandoned between 2019-2020. Here, the shortage of fresh water has placed 72,000 people at risk of food insecurity, while more than 12,000 households, encompassing nearly 50,000 people, lack access to drinking water. With surface and groundwater sources drying up, around 110,000 livestock have suffered malnutrition or died from lack of water and food.

  The launching ceremony at the Center for Women and Development in Ha Noi welcomed leaders from the Viet Nam Women’s Union, UN Women, and the Viet Nam Journalists Association, alongside senior representatives from the Central Propaganda Department, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Information and Communications. Nearly 50 journalists and reporters from leading media outlets across the country attended. This award comes at a pivotal time when Viet Nam is steadfastly advancing its commitments to gender equality on the international stage. The National Press Award for Gender Equality seeks to honor journalists who are not only reporting the news but actively shaping a society that values and respects women and men equally. The Award will recognize exemplary contributions that promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, and work towards eradicating violence against women and children in Viet Nam.“Journalists are our change-makers, shaping public opinion and driving social progress,” said Caroline Nyamayemombe, Country Representative of UN Women in Viet Nam. “This award is about celebrating their power to inspire a future where gender equality is a reality for all.” Key Themes to Drive ProgressThe 2024 Award will shine a spotlight on three critical themes for gender equality in Viet Nam:Preventing Gender-Based Violence: Building a safer society by tackling violence against women and girls.Promoting Gender Equality in Digital Transformation: Ensuring inclusivity and equal opportunities as Viet Nam’s digital economy rapidly expands.Empowering Women in Economic Development: Recognizing women’s vital role in a dynamic, evolving economy.These themes reflect both the challenges and opportunities in Viet Nam’s journey towards gender equality, especially as the nation marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action and the 10th anniversary of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Award Categories and TimelineThe Award welcomes entries across all media forms – print, online, radio, and television – for works published between January 1, 2022, and November 20, 2024. With a total prize exceeding VND 200 million, the award will honor outstanding works across Categories A, B, C, and special commendations, celebrating the dedication and skill of 26 individuals and teams.Organizers anticipate over 300 high-quality submissions, especially those highlighting Viet Nam's progress in gender equality and women’s empowerment. Through this initiative, the Viet Nam Women’s Union and UN Women aim to amplify messages that promote equality, foster positive public perceptions, and inspire actions for a gender-equal society.Submission DetailsEntries are open from November 1, 2024, to November 20, 2024. Information about the Award and submission guidelines will be widely available through the Viet Nam Women’s Union, UN Women, and national media outlets.