Promoting women’s role in the Green Economy: The key to sustainable development

The Green Economy, according to the United Nations Environment Programme, aims to improve human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities; it is low-carbon, resource-efficient and socially inclusive. Green economies have become the subject of serious discussion by governments, businesses and non-governmental organizations alike. Green economies encompass economic, social and environmental concerns in accordance with sustainable development principles.

Women are disproportionately affected by climate change and environmental degradation as they tend to be more dependent on common resources such as water, food and wood, and more vulnerable to the negative impacts of natural resource depletion. Women also constitute approximately 70 per cent of the 1.3 billion people living on less than US$1 a day and ,due to persistent gender stereotypes, the role of women is not sufficiently recognized in terms of economic development, especially in the Green Economy.

In his speech at the opening of the forum, Mr. Nguyen Van Tung, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology stressed that women should be encouraged to get involved in economic development as a way to promote gender equality and social progress.

"There is not any way we can increase prosperity and promote inclusive growth unless women are empowered to be full partners in the economy," said Ms. Elisa Fernandez, UN Women Head of Office in Viet Nam, "We need to remove the barriers to women's full participation in the labour market, strengthen institutions and enact the reforms needed to secure decent working conditions for women. UN Women commits to support Viet Nam in this effort."

"Through cooperation with the Viet Nam Women's Union, UN Women will provide US$ 30.000 in support of three women-led business models that implement green initiatives to bring economic and social benefits to poor women and ethnic minority people," Ms. Fernandez shared.

During the forum, delegates from research institutions and enterprises discussed the Green Economy in the context of global climate change; opportunities for benefit and challenges to women's participation in the Green Economy; barriers caused by social stereotypes, and stimulating a policy environment that will improve women's economic power in general, and female entrepreneurs in Viet Nam, in particular. Delegates also analysed the current situation and shared lessons and solutions to promote the participation of women in green production and business.

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UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide.