Vietnam pledges to promote gender equality

New York, October 16 (VNA) - Vietnam commits to doubling its efforts, along with international cooperation, to create equal opportunities for women to get involved in political, social, and economic activities. Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN was speaking at the general debate on “Advancement of Women” of the 69th Session of the General Assembly in New York, spanning October 13-15. She reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to working with the international community to fully implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action on Women and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) for a better life of all women around the world. “The promotion of gender equality, women’s rights and women empowerment is an integral part of Vietnam’s development”, she said. The diplomat introduced a number of legal documents that Vietnam has enacted over the past time, including the Law on Gender Equality and the Law against Domestic Violence. According to Nga, the country has achieved all Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) related to gender equality, women empowerment and maternal health improvement. The maternal mortality rate has dropped dramatically from 233 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 64 per 100,000 live births in 2012, while sexual and reproductive health and rights of women are better ensured, she noted.-VNA