Virtual conference on the Final Review of the National Strategy on Gender Equality 2011-2020 and Implementation of the National Strategy on Gender Equality 2021-2030

In 2019, following the direction of the Prime Minister, with technical and financial support from UN Women and the Australian Embassy in Viet Nam, MoLISA conducted a performance review of the NSGE 2011-2020 to serve as the basis for the formulation of the NSGE 2021-2030. The process of formulating and finalizing the draft NSGE 2021-2030 attracted engagement and comments from more than 500 participants representing a wide range of ministries, sectors, localities, United Nations agencies, social organizations, international NGOs and groups of people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, LGBT people, the youth among others. The development of the objectives and targets under the NSGE 2021-2030 was determined to be in alignment with the socio-economic development situation in the new period of the country, international economic integration towards the successful realization of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030.

On March 3, 2021, the Government enacted Resolution No. 28/NQ-CP approving the National Strategy on Gender Equality 2021-2030 with the overall objective to “Continue to narrow gender gaps, create conditions, opporutnities for women and men to participate, equally enjoy achievement in all spheres of society and life, and contribute to the sustainable development of the country.” The NSGE encompasses 6 objectives and 20 specific targets in an effort to further narrow gender gaps in the following spheres: politics; economy, labour; family life and gender-based violence prevention and response; health; education, training; information, communications. In addition to several targets whose outcomes obtained from the previous period should be sustained, the NSGE 2021-2030 also includes novel targets such as: reducing the proportion of women workers in the agricultural sector; increasing the number of public social assistance establishments that carry out the activities to support, prevent and respond to gender-based violence; reducing adolescent birth rates; introducing health facilities providing pilot health care services for LGBT people; incorporating contents on gender and gender equality in the curricula of the national education system.

With a view to facilitating NSGE 2021-2030 execution, also within the framework of cooperation with UN Women and the Australian Embassy, MoLISA has developed a guide to data collection and reporting on the NSGE implementation results to aid key ministries, sectors and localities in the synchronous and consistent collection of data and reporting on the NSGE performance annually, towards ensuring the effective and timely monitoring and evaluation of NSGE performance.

In her remarks delivered at the workshop, H.E. Nguyen Thi Ha, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, highlighted that, “Thanks to the efforts made by the whole political system, after 10-years of implementation of the NSGE, we have obtained numerous encouraging results, contributing to narrowing gender gaps in all spheres, thereby making positive contributions to the socio-economic development process of the country. These gains will be a solid foundation for all levels and sectors to sustain and advance further in materializing national objectives on gender equality in the upcoming period.”

As the United Nations agency providing technical assistance in the process of formulating the NSGE 2021-2030, Mrs. Elisa Fernandez Saenz, Representative of UN Women in Viet Nam highly valued Viet Nam's efforts and commitment to realizing the SDGs, including Goal 5 on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment. She mentioned,: “The review on the NSGE implementation over the past 10 years has indicated the need to ensure financial resources for gender equality, especially through investment expenditure sourced from the state budget for adequate funding to realize the NSGE objectives. To do so, it is necessary to ensure that NSGE objectives will be properly mainstreamed in sectoral and local plans, as well as in national target programmes. Viet Nam is also advised to make targeted investments in changing social norms towards advancing gender equality, which has been the core element to promote gender equality experienced by a large number of countries worldwide and has also constitutes the very primary goal of NSGE 2021-2030.”  

Her Excellency Robyn Mudie, the Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, congratulated the Government of Vietnam on the dissemination of the NSGE 2021-2030 saying, “It is an honour for Australia to have been invited by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to support Viet Nam’s National Strategy on Gender Equality for 2021-2030.  There are opportunities and challenges for the advancement of women and girls in the coming decade, including on issues related to Viet Nam’s ageing population, Revolution 4.0 and the automation of jobs. The Strategy’s guidance and recommendations lay the foundations for strong policy approaches to these issues, while also supporting the critical role of women in the economy and women in leadership.  As a longstanding partner on gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, Australia is proud to give practical support to these efforts through our ongoing gender programs.”

At the workshop, leaders of the MoLISA and UN Women urged for more concerted efforts from various ministries, departments and sectors of the Government, social organizations, the private sector, and United Nations agencies in advancing gender equality, moving towards sustainable development by 2030, so that no one is left behind.

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For more information, please contact:

Ms. Nguyen Viet Hai, Gender Equality Department, MoLISA

Email: hainv@molisa.gov.vn - Tel: 024-3825 2875

 Ms. Hoang Bich Thao | Communications Officer of UN Women in Viet Nam

  Email: hoang.thao@unwomen.org | Tel: 0705143996