Empowering Women for Sustainable Development

Empowering women and achieving gender equality are important for ensuring a country’s sustainable development. Many world leaders and scholars emphasize that true sustainability cannot be achieved without gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Vietnamese women are increasingly active in science and technology, making significant contributions to national development and economic growth

Promoting women's rights

The process of gender equality still faces many challenges. According to researchers on women's empowerment, there are three basic areas that need to be studied further to contribute to ensuring women's empowerment.

In terms of politics and society, the proportion of women in leadership and management positions has improved, but is still low compared to the increase in the female workforce.

Economically, researchers suggest that low wages significantly impact family life. Surveys of families earning below a living wage show that nearly 32% of women believe low wages negatively affect their relationship with their partner, often leading to family breakdowns, with women being the most affected.

In the field of digital transformation, women are more concerned about being replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) than their male counterparts. According to researchers, 46% of women and 37% of men are worried about AI-driven automation replacing them in their current jobs.

Currently, in Vietnam, women account for 51% of the workforce and play a major role in housework and child rearing. The proportion of women in leadership and management positions has improved but is still low compared to the increase in the female workforce. In addition, to increase workers' income, the State is focusing on policies to streamline the apparatus and adjust the minimum wage. In recent years, regulations on national minimum wages have become an important agenda in Vietnam.

According to Decree 74/2024/ND-CP, dated June 30, 2024, the minimum wage by region increased by an average of VND200,000 to VND280,000 from July 1, 2024, compared to the previous rates in Decree 38/2022/ND-CP. However, the minimum wage has not caught up with the minimum living standard and remains significantly below the living wage.

In the context of ensuring sustainable women's empowerment, there is a consensus that these areas (socio-political, economic, digital transformation) need to be properly identified and developed to contribute to promoting women's rights.

Empowering women for a happier life

Effectively utilizing resources will contribute to improving women's happiness.  In terms of political and social resources, it is necessary to research and promptly promulgate legal documents and policies related to women. The State needs to have more practical policies to ensure legitimate rights for women. The Vietnam Women's Union needs to promote its role as a political and social institution, and continue to innovate its organization and methods of operation. Focus is needed on building a team of female intellectuals and female entrepreneurs associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with the process of restructuring the economy and international integration.

Financial resources must be applied to streamline the administrative apparatus from the central to local levels combined with training, recruiting officials and applying science and technology to improve productivity, creating a resonance effect for socio-economic development and enhancing competitiveness. On that basis, we need to build a minimum wage system and progressive social security policies to ensure financial resources for households as well as the rights of women - the stem cells of a sustainable society.

In addition, the development of microfinance services helps the poor in society protect themselves from various risks and diversify their business activities and increase their income. This is an important tool in poverty reduction and economic empowerment for women. Microfinance organizations aim to empower women in the community by giving them access to low-interest loans without collateral. More specifically, microfinance organizations aim to provide microcredit to women who want to become entrepreneurs.

Looking to the future with the strong development of science and technology, especially AI, 77% of new employees will see their job roles change in 2025 and the coming years. In this new context, women with a vision for AI need to proactively integrate and develop to improve their own skills and competitiveness as President Ho Chi Minh pointed out: “Women should not wait for the Government or the Party to issue directives for their liberation; they must be self-reliant and fight for themselves.”

The opportunities to boost productivity and transform industries with generative AI are growing exponentially. Combining sharp analysis with excellent communication can give women superpowers in the era of generative AI. By taking advantage of the evolving AI landscape, they can create new ways to deliver business value and career advancement. With so many benefits achieved, it is time for women to take the initiative in forums, innovate responsibly and strengthen their leadership roles in the future.

Along with a series of strong innovation policies in the era of national transformation, March 2025, Women's Month, is the perfect time to invest in sustainable resources that support women's happiness in the family, advancement in the workplace, and, ultimately, long-term empowerment in society.

Dr. Doan Duy Khuong

Source: Vietnam Business Forum