Vietnam suggests gender equality solutions at ASGP’s session
Manama (VNA) – Secretary General of the Vietnamese
National Assembly Bui Van Cuong delivered a speech on gender equality in
parliaments at the plenary session of the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments
(ASGP) in Manama, the capital city of Bahrain on March 13 (local time).
Cuong affirmed that promoting gender equality and empowering women is the
consistent policy of the Vietnamese Party and State, as stipulated in the
Constitution and laws. The Vietnamese NA passed many important laws such as the
Law on Gender Equality and the Law on Election of Deputies to the NA and People's
Councils to protect and promote the empowerment of women, and encourage women's
participation in political and socio-economic activities. Bills submitted to
the legislature for consideration and approval must all have gender impact
assessments.
The Vietnamese NA Standing
Committee provided close guidance on enhancing skills training for female
candidates joining in election campaigns, as well as for female NA deputies
after they are elected. It also raised public awareness of women’s role in the
NA, he said.
Secretaries-General at
the event were impressed by the figures showing the progress of gender equality
in the Vietnamese legislature in recent years, with 24.2% of female deputies in
the 13th legislature (2011-2016), 27.31% in the 14th legislature (2016-2021) and 30.26% in the 15th legislature (2021-2026).
The Vietnamese NA
currently ranks 64th in terms of the percentage of female deputies
according to the February 2023 Global Data on National Parliaments released by
the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
The delegates were
also impressed by the fact that the Vietnamese legislature had a female
Chairwoman during its 14th tenure, as well as the activities of its female
deputies.
Cuong suggested that
ASGP produce a report summarising experience and recommendations while the IPU adopt resolutions, reports or statements regarding gender equality
in parliaments. Based on that, parliaments commit to specific actions for
implementation.
He called for promoting
inter-parliamentary cooperation and collaboration between member countries'
parliaments and UN organisations and international forums on women to better
protect women's rights. Progressive countries in gender equality should
strengthen their sharing of experience with other countries in this field.
The IPU was urged to enhance skills training for core female parliamentarians who will later play an integral role in training counterparts in their own countries./.