The comprehensive role and great contributions of women are praiseworthy in the fight against the Covid-19 disease and post-pandemic recovery, Vietnam’s Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan told the 2021 Global Summit of Women in Lisbon, Portugal, on October 28.

Xuan stressed that women have been making great contributions to socio-economic development in their countries, as well as a strong force in containing the pandemic.

However, women and girls are the groups hardest hit by Covid-19 and they face the risk of being left behind in the post-pandemic period, the vice president noted.

She stressed the need to promote women’s role and equal participation in keeping national and international peace and security, and in creating a solid foundation for transforming economies.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan speaks at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Global Summit of Women in Lisbon, Portugal, on October 28. Photo: VNA

Women need to be given all possible conditions to access resources and knowledge, apply science and technology, and acquire skills for starting a business and developing a digital economy, Xuan added.

She noted that it is necessary to improve women’s digital access and application, bring into play their role in building a digital economy with green, inclusive, and sustainable growth, in tandem with the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Xuan suggested establishing a fund or annual awards for honouring excellent initiatives to ensure gender diversity in business leadership, and for women who run micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises or greatly contribute to the society, the pandemic fight, and environmental protection.

The vice president also highlighted Vietnamese women’s significant role and major contributions to the country throughout history. Vietnamese women are accounting for 30.26% of deputies to the country’s incumbent National Assembly (the highest percentage over the last 45 years), 50% of the key positions in ministries and ministry-level agencies, and 26.5% of the business owners (ranking sixth in the world in terms of the rate of women entrepreneurs). They have also been actively engaging in the Covid-19 fight, especially in the frontline, Xuan said.

Promoting gender equality and women empowerment is a consistent policy and also one of the top priorities of Vietnam in regional and international cooperation frameworks, the vice president affirmed.

Some of the delegates participating in the 2021 Global Summit of Women in Lisbon, Portugal. Screenshot: Nguyen Ngan

Speaking at the conference, the delegates emphasized the importance of promoting equality and empowering women in all political, economic, and social fields.

Besides, they appreciated the role and contributions of the Global Summit of Women over the past 30 years, especially in igniting potential and innovative solutions to global challenges.

International delegates spoke highly of Vietnam’s achievements in gender equality promotion and women empowerment, noting that they are impressed with the dynamism of Vietnamese businesswomen.

With the theme “Women Transforming Economies”, the 2021 Global Women's Summit attracted the participation of more than 500 delegates from 45 countries and territories who are ministers and deputy ministers, female business leaders, and representatives of women's organizations.