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Numerous gender equality policies implemented

Following the administrative reorganization, Phu Tho now has a natural area of 9,361 km² and a population of over 4 million, of which women account for 50.2%. The province is home to 32 ethnic groups, making up 26% of the population, thereby creating an urgent need to promote gender equality in line with the cultural characteristics and socio-economic conditions of each region.

Women’s Unions at all levels in Phu Tho support female members in economic development. (Photo: Vietnam Women's Union)

During the implementation of the National Strategy on Gender Equality for 2021-2025, with a vision to 2030, the Party Committees and People’s Committees of the former provinces of Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, and Hoa Binh issued resolutions, programs, and plans, and integrated gender equality issues into the formulation of Provincial People’s Council resolutions, as well as gender equality targets into socio-economic development plans of agencies, units, and localities. This has strengthened women’s equal participation in leadership and management at all levels, as well as in decision-making processes related to socio-economic development orientations and policies of the province.

The province has also stepped up communication efforts among officials, civil servants, public employees, and the public regarding the Law on Gender Equality, the CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and guiding legal documents. It has directed the consolidation of the group of female deputies of the Provincial People’s Council for the 2021-2026 term and the Committees for the Advancement of Women at all levels.

Kha Thi Luan, Vice President of the Provincial Women’s Union, stated that alongside leadership, direction, and enabling conditions provided by Party committees and local authorities, as well as coordination among departments, sectors, and organizations, Women’s Unions at all levels have organized numerous practical and appropriate activities. These efforts demonstrate their proactive advisory role to local Party committees on women’s personnel work, gender equality, and the advancement of women. Notably, in implementing the National Strategy on Gender Equality, activities have closely followed the program on prevention and response to gender-based violence for the 2021-2025 period. At the same time, Women’s Unions at all levels have reviewed and introduced exemplary women in various fields to stand for election to the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term; effectively implemented the project supporting women’s entrepreneurship and assisted over 1,500 households in escaping poverty; and established and expanded models such as “Safe Villages for Women and Children,” “Community Communication Teams,” “Trusted Community Addresses,” and “Leaders of Change” clubs.

The full implementation of legal regulations has improved both the material and spiritual lives of women in the province; expanded employment opportunities; and increasingly affirmed women’s roles across political, economic, cultural, healthcare, and educational fields.

Currently, the proportion of women in key leadership positions in state agencies and two-tier local governments at the provincial level is 3 out of 11 (27.3%); at departments and sectors, 7 out of 14 (50%); and at the commune level, 53 out of 148 (35.8%). The proportion of female wage earners has reached 50%. The share of women working in agriculture among employed women has decreased to below 30%. The percentage of women serving as directors or business owners stands at 27%.

In family life and in preventing and responding to gender-based violence, women still spend 1.7 times more hours on unpaid domestic and caregiving work. In 2025, there were 181 cases of domestic violence reported in the province. All detected cases of domestic and gender-based violence within families were provided access to at least one basic support service. Three cases involving eight trafficked minors were identified, and all victims received counseling and were reunited with their families.

In addition, public healthcare, including care for women and children, continues to receive attention. The sex ratio at birth stands at 111 boys per 100 girls; the maternal mortality ratio has decreased to 28 per 100,000 live births; and the adolescent birth rate is 10.21 per 1,000 women.

The quality of female human resources in education and training has been increasingly improved, gradually ensuring equal participation between men and women. Gender, gender equality, and reproductive health topics have been integrated into certain subjects in ways appropriate to students’ psychological and physiological characteristics. The gap between girls and boys in access to education across regions has narrowed. The proportion of newly enrolled female learners in the vocational education system has reached 37%. The province has 8 female PhDs out of 21 and 1,713 female master’s degree holders out of 2,354.

Promoting the Comprehensive Development of Women and Girls

Following the merger, Phu Tho faces multiple challenges: awareness of gender equality remains limited in ethnic minority areas; gender stereotypes persist within families; and these factors partly affect the development opportunities of women and girls.

Phu Tho continues to effectively and synchronously implement the Law on Gender Equality, participate in building and contributing to the supplementation and amendment of legal and policy systems, and ensure the legitimate rights and interests of women. (Photo: baophutho)

Currently, Phu Tho continues to effectively and synchronously implement the Law on Gender Equality, participate in building and contributing to the supplementation and amendment of legal and policy systems, and ensure the legitimate rights and interests of women. The province is developing and refining policies to support women in professional training and capacity building, as well as vocational training for female workers, especially rural women, poor women, single mothers, and women with disabilities in difficult circumstances, to meet labor market demands and promote women’s strengths. It is also intensifying inspection activities for the advancement of women at units and establishments employing a large number of female workers, prioritizing those with prominent issues affecting women and girls.

Nguyen Khac Hieu, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee and Head of the Provincial Committee for the Advancement of Women, emphasized that communication and awareness-raising are the most important tasks to ensure the human rights of women and girls, while also fostering stronger behavioral changes regarding gender equality. At the same time, commitment from the entire political system, especially leaders, is required in directing and implementing gender equality.

In the coming years, the province will focus on effectively implementing Resolution No. 11-NQ/TW of the Politburo (10th tenure) on “Women’s Work in the Period of Accelerated Industrialization and Modernization,” along with central directives on women’s personnel, gender equality, and the advancement of women. These will be promptly translated into provincial programs and plans on gender equality and women’s advancement through 2030. The province will also continue to effectively implement tasks related to gender equality and the prevention and response to gender-based violence under the National Target Programs for the 2021-2030 period, as well as the Project on Supporting Women’s Entrepreneurship for 2026-2035.

Efforts will be strengthened to enhance the representative role of Women’s Unions at all levels through clearly defined responsibilities in women’s personnel work. This includes improving communication to raise awareness of the position and role of female officials, identifying and recommending to Party committees and authorities qualified and capable female officials with strong ethical standards and development potential for rotation, appointment, nomination, and election to leadership and management positions.

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