(VOVworld) - Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen highlighted Vietnam’s progress in women empowerment and gender equality at the 59^th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women which opened in New York on Monday.

Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen delivers her speech in New York. (Photo: VNA)

According to Chuyen, who is also Chairperson of the National Committee for the Advancement of Women in Vietnam, Vietnam has promoted the role and status of women in society, economics, politics, and other aspects of life. Vietnam has a high proportion of female National Assembly deputies compared to other Asia-Pacific nations. It ranks 3^rd in ASEAN and 187^th in the world in terms of gender equality.

Chuyen pledged Vietnam’s greater legal enforcement of gender equality and women empowerment. She added that Vietnam will engage in economic development in parallel with social advancement, poverty reduction, and better protection of the rights of women and girls.