In an effort to promote gender equality throughout Vietnam, a national strategy has been introduced to promote gender equity .
A 10-year national project to implement the programme, from 2011-2020, was approved by the Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung last week.
It aims in particular to narrow the gender gap in employment and politics, opening management, work and leadership opportunities to women.
Under the project, at least 40 per cent of newly hired people will have to be women. And the percentage of women in government enterprises will have to be 30 per cent by 2015 and more than 35 per cent by 2020.
Also, by 2020, 50 per cent of rural women workers will be trained in technology skills.
And by 2015, 80 per cent of ethnic women will be eligible for business loans so that they can contribute to reducing poverty.
The project will set aside 25 per cent of members of Party committees of all levels for women by 2016-20 and 35 per cent of Congress seats and other people elected bodies by 2020.
The aim is that by 2020, up to 95 per cent of ministries and government offices will have to make sure women are able to hold some key positions.
Source: VNS