Raising awareness of educational opportunities and eliminating gender stereotypes in curricula and career orientation, especially in training in the fields of Science, Technology, Economics and Mathematics are considered key to promoting women's participation in digital transformation.

On the morning of March 3, the United Nations representative in Vietnam coordinated with the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs and the National Committee for the Advancement of Women in Vietnam to organize a Policy Dialogue with the theme: “Equality Gender equality in digital transformation in Vietnam: Opportunities and challenges".

This year's policy dialogue event is also in line with the global theme of International Women's Day "DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality" and responds to the priority theme of the 67th Session of the Commission. United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67) “Innovation, technology, and education in the digital age to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”.

The event aims to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women and girls in innovation, technology and digital education, while identifying the impacts of digital transformation on the risks that increase economic and social inequality. The event also highlighted the importance of digital transformation, which, with its great potential, is believed to become an important “driver of change” for gender equality, empowering women and tackling violence. on gender basis.

In Vietnam, with the "National digital transformation program to 2025, orientation to 2030" approved by the Prime Minister on June 3, 2020 (Decision No. 749/QD-TTg), innovation and technology has become a priority of the Government and ministries and branches in recent years. Digital transformation has a profound impact, covering all industries and socio-economic fields, contributing to increasing labor productivity, transforming operating and business models towards innovation, from That enhances the country's competitiveness.

Besides, innovation and technology are often considered fields where men dominate. In recent years, women are gradually building certain advantages in technology, with open job opportunities.

However, the majority of women working in technology are still primarily in other positions such as testing, marketing, sales, administration and human resources, rather than technical roles such as development staff. software.

According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), female workers account for about 37% of the workforce in the technology sector in Vietnam, higher than in the world (25%).

There are many reasons why the proportion of women working in this field is still limited, such as the lack of policies and programs to promote women's participation in the technology field and still many gender stereotypes. about women and technology. How to break down barriers and empower women in a comprehensive way is also a challenge for many businesses operating in the technology sector in Vietnam today.

At the policy dialogue, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha, Deputy Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, affirmed that clearly recognizing gender issues arising in the context of digital transformation will help relevant authorities. Complete the policy and legal framework, creating favorable conditions for women and girls to have more opportunities to participate in this field.

Therefore, raising awareness about educational opportunities and eliminating gender stereotypes in curricula and career orientation, especially in training in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, is important. (STEM) is considered the key to promoting women's participation in digital transformation.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha, it is necessary to change expectations about gender stereotypes in the profession, including promoting female role models participating in the field of information technology, digital transformation will also create momentum. Promote women's confidence in the information technology field.

"Equipping women with skills and supporting them to transition to digital-related forms of employment is crucial to ensure that women are not left behind," Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha emphasized. strong.

Ms. Pauline Tamaris, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Vietnam, said that the priority theme of this year's International Women's Day provides a great opportunity for us to reconsider the gender impacts of change. new technologies, and identify recommendations to make Vietnam's digital transformation more inclusive and equitable.

"In that context, the United Nations in Vietnam put forward a number of discussion proposals as follows: it is necessary to ensure a gender perspective in national technical policies and resource allocation for full implementation; increase Strengthening quality education for women and girls; predicting future job and skills needs; strengthening data collection and addressing gender-based violence online", Ms. Pauline Tamaris suggested.

The information shared and recommendations at the policy dialogue will contribute to Vietnam's reportat the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women held by the United Nations in mid-March in New York, USA.

Hai Van