Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính delivers a speech at the 13th National Women Congress. Held in Hà Nội, the congress is attended by nearly 1,000 female delegates. – VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has stressed the important role that women play in family, society and achieving national development goals, as the 13th National Congress of Việt Nam Women's Union officially opens on Thursday in Hà Nội.

The congress, attended by nearly 1,000 female delegates, aims at evaluating the women’s movement and union’s activities over the past five years and set directions and tasks for the 2022-2027 tenure.

President of the 12th Việt Nam Women's Union Hà Thị Nga said this is an important political event and a great festival for women at all levels, marking the development of the women's movement in the country.

Hà said over the past five years, under the leadership of the Party, women at all levels have united to make great achievements in various fields.

The national goals on gender equality have made remarkable progress as the Party and State continue to promulgate and implement guidelines and policies on gender equality, such as Directive 21-CT/TW on continuing to promote women's work in the new situation and the National Strategy on Gender Equality for the 2021-2030 period.

This has created conditions and opportunities for women to affirm their good qualities, great potential and important roles in family and society, she said.

In the context of the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, women are important participants in disease prevention and control as well as beneficiaries of timely and practical support policies.

Nga affirmed that the role of women has been increasingly confirmed. The 13th congress will make breakthroughs in order to highlight the great potential of Vietnamese women and contribute to the development of the country.

Standing Vice President of the Việt Nam Women's Union Đỗ Thị Thu Thảo said women are becoming more and more aware of their citizenship rights and actively participating in Party building and political system building.

The percentage of women participating in party committees at all levels has increased compared to the previous term. For the first time since the country implemented the Đổi Mới (Renewal) process, the percentage of female deputies in the National Assembly is over 30 per cent.

All levels of the union have implemented models to contribute to improving the responsibility of society and families in building a safe and healthy living environment in the past tenure.

The union has mobilised nearly VNĐ500 billion (US$21.8 million) and 730,000 gifts for women and people affected by natural disasters and the pandemic, more than VNĐ700 billion ($30.6 million) to build and repair shelters for women and children, and over VNĐ3 trillion ($131.2 million) for other social and charity activities.

Members of the union have become godmothers to over 5,000 orphans, she said.

The union leaders have proposed the Government issue three projects on the development of women and developed more than 600 policies on gender equality.

Thảo said the women's movement has not been equal in all fields. They have not taken advantage of influential women and those who work in culture and art in its activities.

Setting out directions and tasks in the coming term, she said the union would continue to closely follow the Party's guidelines and policies, tasks for socio-economic development and the requirements of the women's movement in the new period in its activities.

Addressing at the congress, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính said that in order to achieve the national development goals, it is necessary to promote the strength of national unity, including the very important role of women.

The PM suggested a number of issues related to gender equality for congress to discuss.

He suggested the union firmly set-out guidelines for the Party, especially the document of the 13th Party Congress, and propose feasible solutions to the development of women.

The unions at all levels need to consolidate their operation, organise education to raise awareness on patriotism, national pride, and the fine traditions of Vietnamese women.

PM Chính directed the congress to discuss and wisely elect candidates for the 13th Central Committee of the Việt Nam Women's Union.

He said he believed cadres, members and women will have a new awareness and a new spirit to develop the women's movement. in our country, ensuring synchronous, comprehensive, practical and more effective. — VNS