Hanoi (VNA) - The COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, natural disasters and econo☂mic crisis are exacerbating the economic difficulties of households, leading to an increased risk of violence against women and children in ๊Vietnam.

Big strides in gender equality

Vietnam's efforts in ensuring gender equality and strengthening the power and position of women have brought about many positive changes. These efforts are being recognised by the international community, said Le Khanh Luong, Director of the Department of Gender Equality under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. In recent years, gender equality has continued to receive attention and direction from leaders of the Party, State, National Assembly and Government. The National Assembly is promoting the integration of gender equality issues in the annual law and ordinance building programme and draft laws and ordinances submitted to the legislature for approval. Many legal documents related to the field have been developed and amended, contributing to gender equality and gender-based violence prevention and response, he said. The Government, ministries, agencies and localities are also actively implementing strategies and programmes on gender equality, he said.

Enhancing women's empowerment

Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung said that Vietnam's efforts in gender equality in general and strengthening the power and position of women in recent times have been recognised by the international community.

According to the 2023 Global Gender Gap Report published by the World Economic Forum, Vietnam ranked 72nd out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index, up 11 places from 2022. Meanwhile, the political and economic indicators have significantly improved, demonstrating Vietna💟m's determination to narrow the gender gap. They also show a trend to minimise and move towards eliminating gender-based violence, contributing to promoting socio-economic development and building a democratic, fair and civilized society, he stated.

Besides the achievements mentioned above, there remain challenges in the work. Minister Dung said that in the face of economic difficulties, the unemployment rate is increasing. Climate change, natural disasters, and epidemics have negatively affected agricultural production and poverty reduction, and women and children are the most vulnerable.

Dung said that gender-based violence, especiallꦺy violence against women and girls, is still quite common, seriously impacting the health, psychology, spirit and economy of individuals, families and society.

Rigid traditional views that men are the breadwinners in the family and society while women are only responbile for chores in the house and taking care of children, gender-based prejudice and discrimination continue to be a major challenge and obstacle to achieving gender equality and eliminating gender-based violence in Vietnam, he added. Pauline Tamesis, UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, said that the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, natural disasters, wars, and conflicts all increase gender-based violence and worsen economic difficulties of households. To minimise their impacts, investing in prevention work is essential, as it not only helps women, children and families, but also makes national economies healthier and more sustainable. The National Action Month on Gender Equality and Gender-based Violence Prevention and Response has been held annually from November 15 to December 15 since 2016. To date, more than 10 million people have gained access to messages of the programme, contributing to raising their awareness of gender equality and gender-based violence prevention and response.  "There will be no gender equality without men's participation in family work and ending violence against women and girls. Women need to improve their autonomy and assertiveness to engage more actively in all areas of socio-economic life,” Minister Dung noted. Men also need to build confidence that they can take on and perform well the role of taking care of the family, which is part of solutions to end violence against women, he added./.