Promoting women in politics

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Promoting women in politics

• Nguyen Thi Hoai Thu
• Deputy-Chief, NCFAW Bereau

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presentation contents

• Vietnams achievements in gender equality
• Vietnam Communist Party and State policies on
  gender equality
• Activities in promoting women in politics
• Lessons learned

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achievements in gender equality

• Reduced gender disparity in politics, economics,
  social, health care and labor-employment.
• GDI 0,708 (ranks 80/136)
• Women in elected bodies
• NA deputies 27.31
• Provincial, District, Commune Peoples Council
  members 23,8, 23,2, 20,1
• Women in state management
• Women ministers and equivalent 12,5
• Women province presidents 8
• Women province deputy-presidents 32
• Women business directors 20
• However, women in politics and state management
  is still low.

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Barriers for women in politics

• Existence of gender bias, male preference.
• Lack of specific measures in planning, training
  and using women cadres.
• Womens low education level and professional
  skills. Women influenced by gender stereotypes,
  lack of will to participate in social activities.
• Womens burden family affairs, child care and
  employment for income.

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PARTY AND GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON GENDER EQUALITY

• Party resolution 04/NQ-TW (1993), the Party and
  Government consistently confirmed that Vietnamese
  women are an important driving force in the
  countrys socio-economic development.
• Directive 37/CT-TW (1994) outlines actions
  needed to enhance the number of women in
  politics raise gender awareness, promotion of
  training and fostering women cadres, increase of
  women in leadership and state management.
• Decision 19/2003/ND-CP stipulates that state
  administrative agencies at all levels are
  responsible to ensure WUsparticipation in state
  management.

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PARTY AND GOVERNMENT POLICIES (cont.)

• Labor code specific chapter on women
• Gender equality law
• National Strategy for the advancement of women
  in Vietnam approach to rights and gender
  mainstreaming
• - Womens rights in labor-employment
• - Womens rights in education
• - Womens rights in health care
• - Improve effectiveness and effiency of womens
  activities in politics, economics, culture and
  social areas. To strive to achieve at least 30
  of women in NA, XII tenure.
• - Promote capacity-building for activities
  related to womens advancement.

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Structure of the National Machinery for the
Advancement of Women in Vietnam
Prime Minister
NCFAW - 1 Chairperson - 3 Vice -
Chairpersons - 15 Members
NCFAW Office
CEFAW at Ministrial line agencies (46)
CFAW at province (64)
CFAW at district/town
CFAW at dept. level
CFAW at commune/wards
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NCFAW functions for the advancement of women in
vietnam

• Being a focal point agency, promoting
  inter-cooperation and providing advise for the
  Prime Minister on gender equality and womens
  advancement.

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NCFAW roles for the Advancement of women in viet
nam

• Advise in development of National Strategy/Plan
  of Action for the advancement of women, law and
  policy for gender equality and advancement of
  women.
• Keep track of, speed up and monitor the
  implementation of laws and policies.
• Communicate, disseminate and mobilise to
  implement laws, policies, CEDAW and drafting
  CEDAW report.
• Be the focal point in international cooperation
  to achieve gender equality.

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Aciivities to promote women in politics

• 1. Propose and develop laws and policies in
  gender equality
• National Strategy and plan of action for the
  advancement of women in Vietnam.
• Gender equality law.
• Laws and ordinances related to gender equality
  Labor Code, Law on Family and Marriage, Ordinance
  on Prevention of Prostitution, etc. Bill on
  prevention of domestic violence is in the
  drafting process.
• Gender integration in CPRGS, Socio-economic
  Development Plan (2006- 2010).

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Activities (CONt.)

• 2. Organising seminars and training on gender
• TOT on gender and gender mainstreaming.
• Training on gender and gender mainstreaming for
  government officials.
• Training for NA deputies on gender and gender
  analysis.
• Seminars on role of women in management,
  socio-economic development, etc.

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ACTIVITIES (CONT.)

• 3. IEC on gender awareness and mainstreaming
• Different IEC forms publications, competitions,
  seminars, round-table meetings, cultural
  performances, etc.
• Different IEC channels mass-media, CFAW, VWU
  network.

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ACTIVITIES (CONT)

• 4. Providing knowledge and skills to female
  political candidates
• Training for candidates before election.
• Exchange meeting
• Introduce potential candidates
• Promote women to vote for women
• Develop reading materials for candidates
• Round-table on TV and radio on the role of women
  in the economy and politics before the elections.
• Increase percentage of female deputies
• NA deputies 26,2 - 27,21
• PC members 2,7

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CONCLUSION

• Essential steps for promoting women in politics
• Develop strategic policy and action plan
  including specific measures to plan, train,
  foster and use women cadres. Criteria should be
  set up.
• Have a strong machinery to implement policies,
  laws related to gender equality as well as
  specific plans.

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CONCLUSION (Cont.)

• Promote IEC to help women at all levels to
  understand their importance and benefits in
  taking part in politics and socio-economic
  development. Promotion of gender awareness among
  public.
• Women have the will to improve their knowledge
  and skills. Get assistance from family members.
  Balance work and family affairs.
• Promote activities of regional and international
  network focusing on women in politics for
  information and joint action.

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