At the 4th ASEAN Female Ministerial Meeting, Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung pledged to promote gender equality and women empowerment (photo: MOLISA)

Another generation of women will have to wait for gender parity, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2021. As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be felt, closing the global gender gap has been delayed a full generation – from 99.5 years to 135.6 years.

Research shows that the pandemic has more seriously impacted women, putting them at a higher risk of losing jobs than men, while they still have to take care of their families and children amid school closures. These effects are likely to linger and fundamental goals of gender equality are looking more distant.

Since early 2020, Vietnam has experienced four waves of the pandemic, which has seriously damaged every aspect of the socio-economy and posed challenges to women’s advancement and realizing the national goals on gender equality.

Given the situation, the Vietnamese government has effectively integrated gender goals into support policies for people and businesses affected by the pandemic and worked out specific, practical ways to promote gender equality and narrow the gender gap.

During the most difficult periods of the pandemic, Vietnam prioritized the protection of people’s health, job creation, income maintenance, and equitable vaccine sharing. This has helped women and girl children overcome the effects of the pandemic, stabilize their lives, and avoid violence and abuse.

On October 18, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs submitted to the government a draft resolution to support women and children affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry proposed that the government give 88 USD to COVID-19 infected pregnant women and women giving birth during the pandemic and 45 USD to female medical workers and students participating in the fight against COVID-19. Under the proposal, women facing difficulties due to the pandemic would be eligible for preferential loans from the Bank for Social Beneficiaries to restore their production and businesses. Children who became orphans due to the pandemic will receive up to 880 USD. Heroic Vietnamese mothers will also receive 88 USD during the pandemic. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs says this aid package will cost 5.6 million USD in total.

The government resolution on supporting women and children affected by COVID-19 is expected to reduce the negative impacts of the pandemic, and reflects the Party and State’s concern for women and children.

Vietnam has committed to promoting gender equality and empowering women in the post-pandemic period.

Ministries and sectors have implemented flexible online training programs on using digital technology for micro and small enterprises owned by women, and have provided financial and non-financial services to vulnerable women.

The government’s 1.1 billion USD aid package for people affected by the pandemic has expanded its beneficiaries to include pregnant workers, mothers with children under 6, and workers in small businesses and the arts sector.