UNDP representative expresses support to gender equality in VN
Ha Noi, Dec. 11 (VNA) -- Development initiatives cannot be successful or sustainable unless they are designed and implemented in a manner that takes full account of the differing interests, needs and priorities of men and women, according to UNDP resident representative Jordan Ryan.
Ryan made the comment at a ceremony to launch a new compilation of statistics on women and men in Viet Nam on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The brochure was jointly launched by the UNDP and the National Committee for the Advancement of Women (NCAW), coinciding with the Consultative Group (CG) meeting in Ha Noi on December 10-11.
The new brochure, which was developed with the support of "Gender in Public Policy" Project, jointly funded by the UNDP and Netherlands, contains 26 items of data that highlight differences for women and men grouped under five categories, namely health and population, education and literacy, household composition, political representation, and labour and economic activity.
Addressing the launching ceremony, Mrs Ha Thi Khiet, chairwoman of the NCAW, stressed "The brochure is unique in that it reminds us that gender inequality impacts on all members of society, and that gender roles and stereotypes not only affect women and girls, but men and boys as well".
Gender equality cannot be achieved by one or a few gender-focused groups acting alone, she said, stressing that it can only be reached where there is strong leadership and broad commitments and joint actions by all leaders and partners at all levels and in all sectors.
