The policy dialogue on measures to help women in climate-resilient livelihood restoration after the COVID-19 pandemic (Photo: Phuong Hoa/ VNA)

Vietnam Women’s Union’s Vice President Nguyen Thi Minh Huong pointed out the role, capacity, and contribution of women in natural disaster combat and climate change response, stressing women have the capacity to create resources for natural disaster adaptation and mitigation. Therefore, women should be empowered to meet their own needs and help themselves, their families and communities cope with extreme weather events caused by climate change, she said.

Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Ann Mawe briefed the delegates on Sweden’s “feminist foreign policy,” and emphasised the responsibility of policy makers for forming a resilient community. The dialogue forms part of the project “EmPower: Strengthening Human Rights and Gender Equality through Climate Actions and Disaster Risk Reduction”, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

Policy dialogue is the first event in a series of activities to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8, 2022 organized by United Nations agencies in Vietnam under the global theme “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”, which is aimed at recognizing and celebrating the contribution of women and girls around the world, who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation, mitigation, and response, to build a more sustainable future for all.