Vietnam emphasizes dedication to gender equality at Global Women's Conference

In a significant move towards promoting gender equality and digital inclusion, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan of Vietnam recently addressed the 2025 Global Summit of Women in Berlin, Germany. The theme of this year's summit, "Women: Restoring Values in the Digital Age," provided a platform for discussions on the opportunities and challenges posed by the digital era, particularly for vulnerable groups in society.

Vice President Xuan highlighted the risks of digital transformation exacerbating both traditional and non-traditional security challenges. She underscored the need to place gender equality at the forefront of all discussions and legal frameworks concerning technology to promote inclusive and humane digital development.

The digital age offers opportunities to elevate the role and value of women, but it also poses risks of discrimination and inequality. Recognising this, Vietnam is striving to create a secure and friendly digital space for active and safe participation of women and children.

In her speech, Vice President Xuan praised the summit for its contributions to promoting dialogue and international cooperation on gender equality over the past 35 years. She also commended the summit for its focus on restoring values in the digital age, emphasising the urgency of advancing gender equality and empowerment for women in this new era.

Vietnam's commitment to being a responsible member of the global community was evident as Vice President Xuan reaffirmed Vietnam's readiness to share its experience in building an inclusive digital world. She urged sharing best practices, honoring the contributions of female scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs, and breaking invisible barriers to inspire women's aspirations.

Vice President Xuan also met with German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil on the sidelines of the summit to enhance high-level exchanges on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties (1975-2025). A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to unveil the Vietnamese-German Bear statue at the Vietnamese Embassy in Berlin, symbolizing hospitality, strength, unity, and friendship between Vietnam and Germany.

While Vietnam's national digital transformation strategies and initiatives, such as the National Digital Transformation Program, Strategic Technology Sectors, and National Data Development Fund, are not explicitly focused on women and children, they can indirectly support their active and safe participation in the digital age. These strategies aim to create a more inclusive digital environment by increasing access to digital skills and resources, enhancing digital services and infrastructure, and promoting digital equity, especially in rural and disadvantaged regions.

However, to ensure active and safe participation of women and children, additional targeted initiatives might be necessary. These could include digital literacy programs, inclusive digital infrastructure, and safety and protection measures. The Women's Union in Vietnam is playing a pioneering role in bringing these digital programs to women at the local level, helping to build an inclusive digital society.

By advocating for gender equality and women's advancement, and by implementing strategies that indirectly support the digital participation of women and children, Vietnam is demonstrating its commitment to creating a secure and friendly digital space for all. The country's efforts at the 2025 Global Summit of Women are a significant step towards achieving sustainable human development and fostering international cooperation on gender equality.

Vice President Xuan emphasized the importance of integrating gender equality into technology discussions and legal frameworks, aiming for inclusive and humane digital development, especially as the digital age poses risks of discrimination and inequality against women.
Recognizing the benefits and risks the digital era presents for women, Vietnam is working towards creating a secure and friendly digital space, not only for women but also for children, encouraging their active and safe participation.
In her speech, Vice President Xuan emphasized the need to break invisible barriers and share best practices to inspire women's aspirations in science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, key fields within the digital age.
As part of its digital transformation strategies, Vietnam aims to create a more inclusive digital environment by increasing access to digital skills and resources, enhancing digital services and infrastructure, and promoting digital equity, with a focus on rural and disadvantaged regions.
To ensure the active and safe participation of women and children in an increasingly digital world, additional targeted initiatives such as digital literacy programs, inclusive digital infrastructure, and safety and protection measures may be necessary, with local Women's Unions playing a vital role in implementing these programs.