Vice President of the Vietnam Women’s Union Nguyễn Thị Minh Hương speaks at the meeting. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Delegates to a policy dialogue jointly held by the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) and the UN Women in Hà Nội on Monday discussed the effect of climate change on women's livelihoods.

VWU Vice President Nguyễn Thị Minh Hương pointed out gender stereotypes in the role of women in natural disaster combat and climate change response, stressing that women have the capacity to create resources for natural disaster adaptation and mitigation.

She added that women should be empowered to meet their own needs, helping themselves, their families, and communities cope with extreme weather events caused by climate change.

Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Ann Mawe briefed delegates on Sweden’s “feminist foreign policy” and emphasised the responsibility of policy makers in forming a resilient community.  

Elisa Fernandez Saenz, Country Representative of UN Women in Việt Nam, said climate, environment and natural disaster policies and programmes should put women and girls at the centre of decision-making.  

She also called for gender mainstreaming in policies and programmes on mitigation of natural disasters, climate and environment.

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. — VNS