at the Third Committee of the Sixty-Second General Assembly

Item 63: Advancement of women

 

Mr. Chairman,

           At the outset, my delegation wishes to fully associate itself with the statement made by the distinguished representative of Pakistan on behalf of the G77 and China. My delegation also wishes to thank the Secretary General for the reports under the current agenda item.

Mr. Chairman,

           Much of the focus of last year’s discussion, including our statement, was on violence against women in light of the Secretary General’s in-depth study. This year, we noted with appreciation the intensification of efforts by different entities of the UN system, in particular through the timely establishment of the Task Force on Violence against Women and the launch of the United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict. We sincerely hope that these endeavours would contribute to the effective coordination and collaboration among various UN entities in order for them to play a more visible role in the fight to eliminate violence against women. My delegation wishes to voice it support for the Secretary General’s global campaign on violence against women to be launched later this year.

            One year after the launching of the study, violence against women is no less pervasive and still remains “one of the most serious challenges of our time”. Concerted and unswerving efforts must be undertaken to comprehensively address this situation, especially at the national and local levels.

          At present, the 12^th Session of the Vietnamese National Assembly is discussing in details various provisions of the Draft Law on Domestic Violence with a view to preventing and punishing acts of domestic violence, particularly those committed against women and children, and to protecting and assisting victims of violence, with due consideration of long-term solution to each. situation. 

Mr. Chairman,

            Building on our commitment to the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome of the Twenty-Third Special Session of the General Assembly, Viet Nam continues to exert utmost efforts to achieve gender equality and the advancement of women in all aspects of life.

    Gender mainstreaming, as is defined in the Law on Gender Equality, which was adopted last year, is being conducted through relevant policies and activities of all government bodies. Recognizing that gender equality and the advancement of women are crucial elements to and of the nation’s socio-economic development, the Comprehensive Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy (Viet Nam’s PRSP) has been heralded as the most gender responsive strategy to date in Viet Nam. The Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2006-2010 is the first 5-year plan that incorporates gender perspectives. Currently, based on the National Strategy and the 5-year National Plan of Action for the advancement of women, the ministries and agencies of the central government and 64 provinces are completing and implementing their respective plans of action in order to achieve national targets in a synergetic manner. The respective Committees for the Advancement of Women established under all ministries, agencies and local government bodies are actively advising and assisting the heads of these agencies in mainstreaming gender perspectives in their respective work.

   Vietnamese women continue to play an active and important role in the decision-making at all levels and comprise 25.76% of deputies of the National Assembly, above 23% of members of People’s Councils at provincial and district levels. Eight training courses were conducted for women candidates to the National Assembly this year to better equip future women members with the gender agenda. During the elections to the National Assembly earlier this year, information campaigns on gender equality were carried out by the National Committee for the Advancement of Women.

            Mr. Chairman,

         In order to achieve gender equality, advancement and socio-economic development for all women, particular attention should be paid to women in especially difficult situations, including women in rural areas. The Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women for 2006-2010 aims to reduce the proportion of poor female-headed households by 50% through, inter alia, providing access to loans from the National Poverty Reduction Programme for at least 80% of poor female-headed households and ensuring that women will comprise 50% of those who have access to loans from the Social Policy Bank.

    In line with nation-wide efforts, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has adopted the Gender Strategy and Plan of Action in Agriculture and Rural Development to 2010, aiming at coordinating and promoting efforts of agencies at all levels, mass organizations and individuals to realize gender equality in agriculture and rural areas. The 2006-2010 Plan of Action for Administrative Reform of the Ministry, has incorporated gender perspectives and the needs of rural poor women in targeted indicators for institutional reform. It is believed that this would help develop a modern, effective and easily accessible administrative system, through which rural poor women would be able to benefit more from economic and social progress of the country.

                Alongside with the national trend, women in rural areas are becoming more active in making decisions for themselves and the communities. At the communal level, women comprise of 20% of the People’s Councils, an increase of 3% as compared to the previous tenure. Basic needs of rural women, such as access to infrastructure, land, finance, healthcare and education continue to be accorded high priority in various normative acts, programmes and projects.

                Before concluding, Mr. Chairman, the goals of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome of the Twenty-Third Special Session of the General Assembly can only become reality for all women in all corners of the world if consistent and persevere efforts are undertaken in a concerted manner at all levels, with due consideration of women in special circumstances.

                  Thank you for your attention.