UN Resident Coordinator in Việt Nam Pauline Tamesis delivers a speech at the dialogue on the National Programme on Digital Transformation on Friday. — VNA/VNS Photo Hoàng Hiếu

HÀ NỘI — Gender perspectives should be integrated in national digital policies and resources should be allocated for full implementation, said UN Resident Coordinator in Việt Nam Pauline Tamesis in Hà Nội on Friday.

She also suggested the country enhance quality education for women and girls, forecast and anticipate future jobs and skill needs, increase data collection and address gender-based violence online.

Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyễn Thị Hà, who is also Permanent Deputy Chairwoman of the National Committee for the Advancement of Women in Việt Nam, spoke about the National Programme on Digital Transformation until 2025, approved by the Prime Minister on June 3, 2020.

Digital transformation aims to change expectations about gender stereotypes in professions, including enhancing female role models’ participation in information technology, she said.

The Deputy Minister added that digital transformation would also boost women's confidence in information technology, noting that equipping women with necessary skills and supporting their transition to digitally relevant jobs is critical to ensuring they are not left behind.

The policy dialogue, “Innovation and technology for gender equality in Việt Nam: opportunities and challenges,” was co-organised by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the UN in Việt Nam and the National Committee for the Advancement of Women in Việt Nam.

It brought together 100 representatives from ministries, agencies, localities, socio-political organisations, social organisations and UN agencies.

The participants called digital transformation an important impulse to gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the settlement of gender-based violence.

They also looked into digital transformation in Việt Nam and women’s role in the digital era in different spheres.

The dialogue aligned with International Women's Day's global theme, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”, and responded to the priority theme of the 67th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67), “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”.

It was intended to honour the contributions of women and girls in innovation, technology and digital education while identifying the impacts of digital transformation on the risks of exacerbating economic and social inequalities.

The information and recommendations presented at the dialogue will be fed into Việt Nam's report at the 67th session slated for mid-March in New York. — VNS