Recently in Hanoi, Centre for Women and Development, Vietnam Women's Union in cooperation with International Women's Federation for Commerce and Industry of Singapore and British Council in Vietnam, organized an international conference on social enterprises 2012 highlighting enterprises with social responsibility. On the sidelines of the conference, the Vietnam Business Forum had an interview with Ms Hoang Thi Ai Nhien, Standing Vice President of Vietnam Women's Union to clarify the role of women and female entrepreneurs in the new era. Anh Phuong reports.
The contribution of women to the economic development of the country is increasingly recognised. What do you think about this?
During the past, Vietnamese women have made great contributions to society and the community. On the economic front, their contribution is increasingly assured. Currently, Vietnamese women account for 50.52 percent of the population and 48 percent of the workforce, playing a very important role in the national development. In the field of economy, Vietnam is a country in the region with a high percentage of women involved in economic activities (83 percent), which is almost equal to men (85 percent). Notably, women are present in almost all industries and fields.
Women also account for 51.37 percent of the labour force in rural areas and engaged in economic management of 60 percent of households nationwide. Accordingly, women in rural areas have contributed to assuring national food security, raising exports. Proudly, they have made a considerable contribution to turning Vietnam into the second largest rice exporter in the world, contributing to raising the proportion of agriculture in total GDP to 21percent with positive results in poverty reduction in Vietnam. In particular, in the last economic crisis, Vietnam's agriculture greatly helped the country to overcome difficulties and contributed to ensuring social security and macro-economic stability of the country. This achievement is greatly attributed to the role of women.
In industry, the female workforce account for a high proportion (over 70 percent) in the textile, footwear, processing industry which have high export turnover, contributing to raising the proportion of industry and construction to 41 percent of GDP.
In addition, the female workforce accounts for a high proportion in the banking, financial, trade, services and tourism sector (50 percent) and more and more are getting involved in the economic sector which requires expertise and high industrial skills. Delightedly, 34 percent of the workforce involved in the science and technology sector are women, which contributes to higher yield for the country.
Besides success in the professional field, Vietnamese women are very successful in business. This is proven by the fact that there are currently many female entrepreneurs. Could you please share with us your view on this?
It is true that at present, quite a few entrepreneurs and business owners are women. They have a business mindset and development strategy which is quite comparable to men’s in the marketplace. Specifically, over 25 percent of business owners and over 41 percent of all business establishments’ owner are women. 36.7 percent of businesses run by women operate in the service sector and contribute to raising the proportion of the service sector to nearly 40 percent of GDP, creating jobs for thousands of workers, enhancing competitiveness and establishing deeper integration in the regional and world market.
The number of women which take the role as Chairwoman of the Management Board, General Director, Deputy General Director of colossal corporations and enterprise is on the rise. According to the International Financial Institutions (IFC), female entrepreneurs in Vietnam are holding an increasingly important position in the economic development process, creating a unique business style with high flexibility and effectiveness. This is clearly shown by the fact that many prizes honouring entrepreneurs and enterprises in the cause of national innovation namely the Vietnam Gold Star Awards, the Golden Rose Cup, Vietnam Women Awards ...are awarded to talented female entrepreneurs. Women not only develop businesses successfully but also actively participate in charitable social activities, thereby helping reduce poverty and provide support to people in the areas suffering from natural disasters...
In your opinion, in addition to the above achievements, which obstacles do Vietnamese women have to face during their participation in national economic development?
In fact, the female workforce accounts for a large proportion of the low technical professions and are faced with precarious employment, etc. Although there is no discrimination in wage levels, female workforce’s income accounts for only 75 percent of that of male workforce. In addition, women have less access to and control over economic and financial resources of the family and community. In addition, the prejudice in the social division of labour and the family burden are the main reasons affecting employment opportunities and women’s contribution.
So in your opinion, which policies do the community and state need to be worked out to support and help enhance the role of women in the future?
As an organization representing the rights and interests of women, Vietnam Women's Union has implemented many programs and activities to increase the participation of women in economic development including information about economic development policy and forum for policy dialogue and consultation with government agencies; monitored the implementation of policies supporting access to formal credit loan for three million women who are entitled to bank loan; enhanced capacity for female workers through vocational training scheme, employment generation for the period of 2010 - 2015 approved by Prime Minister and establishment of a network of female entrepreneurs in Vietnam; facilitated female entrepreneurs to participate in forums, conferences, national and international markets...
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