Happiness, safety of women, children should be goal of action

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc addresses the launching ceremony of the safety year for women and children, Ha Noi, on March 6, 2019 - Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

Speaking at the ceremony, Phuc stressed that Viet Nam is the first nation in Asia and the second one in the world ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child on February 20, 1990. 

At present, Viet Nam has three female members of the Political Bureau, including first-ever Chairwoman of the National Assembly and is one of ASEAN countries with highest rate of female corporate leadership. 

The State has provided free health insurance for children under six; nearly 100% of one- year children have joined expanded vaccination; nearly 100% of under five-year old children go to kindergartens; around 90% of disadvantaged children enjoy social assistance policy are among achievements Viet Nam have made over the recent years, he said. 

The Government leader asserted that sustainable development must be based on three pillars of economics, society and environment, continuously improving people’s spiritual and material lives and leaving no one left behind. 

During the process of the national development, it is necessary to not only care about economic growth but also the need to improve the growth quality, enhance social advance and fairness, ensure human rights, security and safety, particularly women and children, ones living in disadvantaged areas, border areas, seas and islands and ethnic minority, he confirmed. 

Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

Mr. Phuc asked associations to establish specific plans, launch practical activities and mobilize all agencies and the whole society in protecting women and children as well as communicate women and children to understand their rights, responsibilities and skills to create a safe and healthy living and working environment.     

Ministries, agencies and localities must review action plans and make proposals on institutions, laws, policies on social safety and security for women and children, he said, requiring developing sports and focusing on ensuring sanitation and food safety at schools. 

He called on businesses, individuals, social and international organizations to coordinate with the Government and the Viet Nam’s Women Union to realize goals for the safety of women and children and for gender equality and sustainable development. 

By Thuy Dung