(VOVworld) – The percentage of female deputies in the National Assembly is 24.4%. It’s lower in People’s Councils at all levels. Vietnam is targeting to increase the rate of female deputies to 35% in the 14th National Assembly and in People’s Councils in the 2016-2021 term.
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| A meeting of female deputies of the 13th National Assembly |
The percentage of female deputies in the 1st National Assembly was 3% which increased to 24.4% by the 13th National Assembly. The target of 35% in the 14th National Assembly is ambitious.
Women’s participation in people-elected agencies
Bui Thi An, a National Assembly deputy with the Ho Chi Minh city delegation, said the National Assembly and People’s Councils must have representatives from all social strata.
“The target of 35% is a progressive, appropriate decision. Overall the target is not difficult to achieve, but it will be difficult to reach in every locality. It’s important to ensure the number of candidates and their ability.”
Gender equality in politics is always a difficult issue. The low percentage of female leaders in administrative agencies, localities, and sectors is attributed to poor personnel planning. Women have more family responsibilities than men.
Ho Thi Thuy is a deputy head of Vinh Phuc province’s National Assembly delegation: “Gender equality has been defined in Party resolutions and laws. But women’s participation in politics still faces obstacles. Localities have paid inadequate attention to training and promoting female cadres.”
Striving for the target of 35% female deputies
In order to achieve the target of 35% female deputies in the 14th National Assembly, all localities must ensure an adequate number of female candidates. Women’s unions play an important role in nominating female candidates.
Nguyen Thi Tuyet, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Women’s Union, said the Union has signed an agreement with the Vietnam Fatherland Front to nominate candidates to the National Assembly and People’s Councils. Tuyet said: “We’ll train female candidates at the local level to improve their knowledge and skills to stand for election and meet the qualification of the National Assembly or People’s Council.”
Ministries, sectors, and localities have trained female cadres to stand for the National Assembly and People’s Councils elections. Nguyen Thuy An, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly’s Committee on Social Affairs, says: “Personnel planning is long-term work and the nomination of female cadres must be carefully considered to ensure high quality candidates.”
Increasing the number of female deputies in the National Assembly and People’s Councils in the 2016-2021 term is a necessary move for gender equality and women’s advancement.