Workshop in Ha Noi Focuses on Women's Representation in Councils

• An international workshop was held in Ha Noi on February 9
• It was organized by the Viet Nam Women’s Academy and APHEDA
• The workshop dealt with ways of increasing opportunities for women to be elected to People’s Councils

Under the theme: "Enhancing Opportunities for Women Candidates to be Elected to People's Councils at All Levels," the Viet Nam Women's Academy, with the sponsorship of the Australian People for Health, Education, and Development Abroad (APHEDA), organized an international scientific workshop on February 9th in Ha Noi.

In her opening remarks, the Vice Chairwoman of the Viet Nam Women’s Union, Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, began by discussing the position of Vietnamese women in national development and said that the promotion of gender equality had to be related to human rights and seen as a factor for development.

However, she recognises that the key to enhancing the role of women in People's Councils at all levels is to take a comprehensive approach which includes scientific research, international experiences, and practice in Viet Nam.

In addition, it would require the concerted efforts of the political system, social sectors, schools, and society as a whole.

Nguyen felt confident that the outcomes of the workshop would be references for policy advice and support for women's candidacies in the local sphere.

Deputy Ambassador Ronan Cunniffe of the Irish proceeded to declare that gender equality and the involvement of women in the political sphere were important issues for Ireland in the development cooperation sphere.

Hence, it is expected that the workshop would bring more chances for Vietnamese women to assume representation positions.

Associate Professor Dr. Tran Quang Tien, the Viet Nam Women's Academy Director, commented that the strengthening of the extent of women's participation in the structure of the political institutions is actually meant to enhance the policy of gender equality.

The dialogue that was prominent in the workshop focused on three major areas, which included the contribution and role of the female People's Council delegates at different levels, ways to increase the political opportunity of female candidates in the election process, and the significant rewards and challenges that the female political participants face, including their political successes.