Press Release: Executive Director’s first visit to Viet Nam to focus on future development priorities and overcoming gender equality gap

Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director, begins her first official visit to Viet Nam today to strengthen partnership with the Government of Viet Nam in gender equality works and praise public efforts made in advancing women’s empowerment and rights.

During her three-day visit, Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka will meet Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Deputy Prime Minister and   Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh and Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen. Other meetings with high-ranked Government officials are with women leaders, along with the National Assembly and civil society organization representatives to discuss UN Women-supported Government efforts to enhance gender equality and women’s empowerment as well as reduce the gender gap in the country.

UN Women Executive Director will lead a discussion on social protection with women migrant workers at the biggest night-market in the capital Ha Noi, known as Long Bien market, to hear from them about their challenges and aspirations. During the discussion, she will underscore UN Women’s commitment to support the empowerment of migrants and call for action to provide migrants with better access to basic services and social protection.

Her trip also includes a dialogue with secondary school students at Chu Van An, a 105-year-old school in the capital city, on providing safe learning environments in schools and stressing the role of youth in preventing violence against women and girls. Her interaction with young people and teachers will highlight the importance of school-based curriculum that contains values of gender equality, respect, care and youth participation - central to putting an end to gender-based violence and discrimination.

Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka will deliver a keynote address at the Policy Dialogue on “Increasing Inclusion of Women and Girls in the Social Protection System: A Development Priority”, attended by the Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, civil society organizations, international organizations and gender experts.

Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka was sworn in as Executive Director of UN Women by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 19 August 2013. She was the first woman to hold the position of Deputy President of South Africa (2005 to 2008) and has also held  key cabinet positions: Deputy Minister in the Department of Trade and Industry (1996-1999); Minister of Minerals and Energy (1999-2005) and served as acting Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology in 2004.

Media contact:
Thao Hoang, Communications Officer, UN Women Viet Nam Country Office, [ Click to reveal ];  +84 1205 14 3996