Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc called on the eliminations of all barriers for women to access better employment opportunities and social welfare during the third ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Women (AMMW-3) in Hanoi on Thursday.

ASEAN women have made significant contributions to prosperity in the region, PM Phuc said at the event, adding that the number of seats held by women in the ASEAN countries’ parliaments, as well as the number of local businesswomen, has increased in recent years.

“We cannot become a community of solidarity, resilience, innovation and sustainable development without the engagement of women and girls,” the premier remarked.

“They deserve equality in families and society, protection and empowerment.”

Various initiatives in Vietnam have integrated into national programs to promote gender equality and improve social welfare for women and children, Phuc continued.

Delegates at the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Women (AMMW-3). Photo: Tuoi Tre

The female representation in the country’s National Assembly accounts for 27.1 percent, he elaborated, adding that up to 98 percent of businesses owned by women are small-and medium-sized enterprises.

He took the occasion to recommend collaboration related to women and girls within the bloc in the future, namely equipping women with new skills and forming life-long study networks.

Efforts should also be exerted to provide women with sustainable jobs and remove all barriers for women to access better employment opportunities and social welfare.

The AMMW-3 ran from October 18 to 25 against the backdrop that the bloc is accelerating the implementation of commitments and priorities in social welfare and gender equality.

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