Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Gender equality will be added into village codesand conventions – the code of ethics developed by the community that has longplayed an important role in managing social relations in the community in Vietnam.

Under a new decision by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the village code andconvention at every grassroots level in the country will include principleslike gender equality in society and family, as well as no gender-baseddiscrimination.

Gender issues must be integrated into law building and enforcement.

The amendment and supplementation to community ethical codes are expected topromote and ensure gender equality, for example raising public awareness ongender equality and gender-based violence, preventing and fighting familyviolence, as well as raising the status of women and girls in society and thefamily.

Changes to community ethical codes are expected to help increase genderequality in politics, economy, labour, education, science and technology,healthcare, culture and sports.

It is expected that girls and women will be given more chances to participatein social activities.

Amended community ethical codes in Vietnam helped raise public awareness oncultural and civilised lifestyles during weddings, funerals and festivals, thuschanging public behaviour, abandoning outdated procedures and curbing childmarriage.

Under the Prime Minister’s decision on the gender equality communicationprogramme issued on October 23, 2021, 95 percent of village codes andconventions in Vietnam will no longer contain gender-based discrimination by2025.

By 2030, gender equality will be included in all village codes and conventionsthat are developed and implemented by the community from the grassroots levels,like villages, hamlets or residential groups.

Under the programme, in the next four years, all ministries, agencies andlocalities will have an annual plan on a month-long campaign to promote genderequality and respond to gender-based violence.

They are also required to apply technology and digital platforms, as well asdiversify communication on the issues.

The Prime Minister also urges to further engage different stakeholders incommunication work, mobilising resources and means.

The participation and response of agencies, organisations, businesses andpeople, especially leaders, managers, heads of agencies, and people with greatprestige and influence in society could help generate positive results.

Gender equality education in families, schools and communities should beexpanded and promoted.

The Prime Minister suggested developing and applying a set of indicators ongender communication.

He also asked for capacity building for communication officers, reporters,editors, reporters, and media collaborators at all levels.

It is also necessary to strengthen communication on laws, policies and achievementson gender equality of Vietnam, to fight and oppose false information aboutgender equality and policies of the Party and State of Vietnam, to strengthenthe inspection and supervision of promoting and dissemination of the law ongender equality./.