Topic: 2024-Gender Equality in Rural Areas
Country: Viet Nam
Delegate Name: Harpreet Kaur
In rural areas of developed and developing countries, women often face isolation from crucial resources, leading to gender inequality. Traditional practices and physical separation limit their access to social, economic, and technological opportunities. Women, who make up 43% of the agricultural workforce in developing countries, could significantly boost productivity if given equal resources. Education is also less accessible for rural women, with only 39% of rural girls attending secondary school compared to 45% of boys. Additionally, leadership roles and medical care, especially reproductive care, are less available to women in these regions.
Viet Nam has made significant progress in addressing gender inequality in rural areas through various policies and initiatives. The National Strategy for Gender Equality 2011-2020 and the National Action Plan for the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda highlight the importance of gender equality, especially in rural regions. Investments in education, healthcare, and communication technology have empowered rural women and challenged traditional gender roles. As a result, more rural girls are attending school, and healthcare programs have improved access to reproductive health services. However, challenges such as a lack of gender-disaggregated data, and persistent cultural norms remain significant barriers. To further address these issues, Viet Nam proposes increasing access to education by building more schools and providing scholarships for rural girls, expanding healthcare facilities, ensuring access to reproductive health services, enhancing data collection mechanisms, promoting women’s leadership roles, and increasing access to technology. By implementing these solutions, Viet Nam aims to create a more equitable society where women can fully contribute to national development and economic growth.
The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is dedicated to promoting gender equality and addressing the specific challenges faced by women in rural areas. Our country recognizes that achieving these goals requires not only national efforts but also international collaboration. Viet Nam is committed to working closely with other countries, sharing best practices, and learning from global experiences to enhance the effectiveness of our policies and initiatives.
