A series of strong mechanisms and policies have brought about remarkable gender equality achievements in Vietnam , earning international praise, said an official of the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA).

A forum on gender equality and sustainable poverty reduction in Hanoi on June 2 noted that the country boasts not only a high rate of females in the National Assembly (25.76 percent in the 12 th legislature) but also one of the world highest rates of women in the business circle.

In its report on the world’s gender issue over recent years, the World Bank said Vietnamese recorded the fastest progress in eradicating the gender gap over the past 20 years in East Asia.

Participants at the forum, which was jointly held by MoLISA and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), also reiterated that gender equality, besides being a development goal itself, is a solution to achieve sustainable poverty reduction.

However, the country is still facing many difficulties in implementing gender equality due to the age-old prejudice of valuing men above women and the lack of strong mechanisms and human sources to enforce gender law.

VNA

• Gender imbalance at alarming stage (May 16,2008)
• Women’s Union tackles domestic violence (Apr 02,2008)
• Seminar raises alarm on gender disproportion in Vietnam (Dec 28,2007)
• Ethnic women fight for gender equality (Nov 02,2007)
• Training for Speakers on Gender Equality Law (Oct 24,2007)
• Training Conference on Combining Gender with Work for the Advancement of Women (Sep 27,2007)
• Party resolution to help advancement of women (Aug 30,2007)
• Women make up 25.76% of the law making body (Aug 30,2007)
• Understanding HIV and AIDS-related stigma and discrimination in Vietnam (Aug 06,2007)
• Vietnam Praised for Efforts Against Gender Discrimination (Jul 17,2007)