Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan has called on female foreign ambassadors to further contribute to facilitating bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and other countries and international organizations during a reception in Hanoi on the occasion of Vietnamese Women’s Day [October 20].

Addressing the meeting, Vice President Xuan highly valued the outstanding achievements and great contributions made by the female diplomats to Vietnam's renewal and international integration.

They help promote political, diplomatic, economic, cultural, and social activities, which empower women, children, and disadvantaged groups, thus enhancing peacebuilding, cooperation, and mutual development of nations around the world, Xuan said.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan meets with female foreign ambassadors, chargés d' affaires. Photo: Baoquocte.vn

The vice president took the opportunity to extend her sincere thanks for the assistance provided by the foreign countries and partners, particularly the female diplomats, to help Vietnam contain the Covid-19 pandemic and return to a new normal situation.

She stated that the Vietnamese Party, State, and people always create favorable conditions for the ambassadors to fulfill their tasks, thus continuing to promote cooperation for mutual benefits between Vietnam and the countries and organizations they represent.

Xuan expected the female diplomats to focus more on cooperation in Covid-19 prevention and socio-economic recovery while working to facilitate trade between countries and delegation exchanges in the post-pandemic period.

Vietnam has made progress in raising gender equality in politics, the vice president said, adding that women account for 30.26% of the National Assembly deputies, the highest over the past 45 years, and half of the leaders of ministries and ministerial-level agencies.

The rate of women-led businesses also reaches 26.5%, placing Vietnam in the sixth position among countries with the highest number of businesswomen, Xuan continued.

For their part, the diplomats spoke highly of Vietnam's efforts in guaranteeing women’s rights and gender equality as well as fully upholding their role in national construction and defense, and raising their position in political, economic, cultural, and social fields.

The female diplomats conveyed their thanks to the Vice President for hosting the reception, reiterating their willingness to cooperate with Vietnam in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment.

More opportunities for Vietnamese women

At the meeting held October 19, with outstanding Vietnamese women in Hanoi on the occasion of Vietnamese Women's Day, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reiterated Vietnam's acknowledgment of women’s role and contribution to national development.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh gives flowers and gifts to Vietnam Heroic Mothers on the occasion of Vietnamese Women's Day October 20. Photo: VGP

The Government leader highlighted Vietnamese policies on gender equality, women’s health, and job generation and asked ministries to review policies on women and children as well as focus on support for those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The government will work out policies to help female workers in industrial parks, focusing on accommodation, kindergartens, and schools, Chinh said.

The Prime Minister asked the Women’s Union to make efforts towards family building and sustainable poverty reduction as well as promote women's engagement in the fight against Covid-19.

On October 20, 1930, the Vietnam Women’s Union was officially founded as a collective against imperialism. Vietnamese women bravely fought the independence and national liberation wars.

October 20 is an annual occasion to honor Vietnamese women by recognizing their economic and political achievements throughout history and their traditional roles.