Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam will focus on completing itssocial welfare legal and policy system while prioritising the reform of socialinsurance and life-long learning for women and girls, and creating jobs forelderly and migration women, thus fulfilling the gender equality targets,stated Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) Dao Ngoc Dung.

Addressing the 63rd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women(CSW) in New York on March 13, the minister highlighted Vietnam’s effortstowards achieving the goal, despite the challenges Vietnam and many other UNmembers are facing, such as expanding rich-poor gaps, aging populations andclimate change.

Dung expressed hissupport for key issues on the agenda of the session, which he said demonstratethe harmonious combination of the International Human Rights Convention, the Conventionon the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women aswell as the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

He said thatafter 25 years of implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, giant steps have been made in gender equality as well as womenand children’s empowerment.

The CSW has becomea leading forum on gender equality and a source of ideas, strategy and directionsto improve gender equality for UN members, he said.

The integrationand empowerment of women has brought significant positive impacts to eachcountry, said Minister Dung, citing reports that show success in reducingincome and non-income inequality through progressive policies in economy andsociety.

Inclusive growthand sustainable development is something all member countries are aiming for,he stated.

The ministeraffirmed the stance of Vietnam and many other UN members in consideringensuring social welfare the leading goal in national development.

He underscoredfour key pillars in the field, including policies to promote sustainableemployment and reduce poverty for women and girls; social insurance policies;social support policies; and policies ensuring basic social services.

At the session,the Vietnamese official highlighted several of Vietnam’s achievements ofVietnam in reducing gender inequality, noting that 71.2 percent of Vietnamesewomen are engaging in the workforce. The Vietnamese Government has committed toputting aside 2.6 percent of GDP for social support policies fordisadvantageous groups, including women and girls. A survey from the Mastercardsaid the ratio of women business owners in Vietnam is 31.3 percent, ranking sixthamong 57 surveyed countries. Vietnam is also among leading countries in theindex of women’s opportunities and economic engagement.

He proposed that thereview of 25 years of implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action seek suitable recommendations at national, regional and globallevels.

Stressing theneed for stronger investment in social welfare, education, poverty reduction,economic empowerment and climate change response, the minister called on UNmembers to spend an adequate part of their GDP on social welfare services.

He citedresearches showing that for every 2 percent of GDP spent on the services, thenumber of jobs will increase about 2.4-6.1 percent.

The 63rdsession of the CSW is underway inNew York until March 22 with the participation of more than 100 vicepresidents, deputy prime ministers and ministers from countries around theworld, along with representatives from multilateral and non-governmental organisations.-VNA