VietNamNet Bridge – Greater efforts are needed for women to make up 30 percent of deputies in the 14th National Assembly (NA) as targeted by the NA Standing Committee, insiders have said.

Voters in Quang Kim Commune, Bat Xat District of Lao Cai Province, look at the list of candidates for seats in the NA and local People's Council -- Photo: VNA

Women’s participation in the NA has grown substantially, from 13.5 percent in the second parliament in 1960-1964, to 24.4 percent in the 13th in 2011-2016.

In Resolution 1135/2016, the 13th NA Standing Committee aims for at least 314 female candidates or 35 percent of the total number, with at least 150 women elected, accounting for 30 percent of NA deputies.

According to NA Secretary General and member of the National Election Council Nguyen Hanh Phuc, 339 of the 870 approved candidates nationwide (38.97 percent) are women.

Deputy Bui Thi An of Hanoi said women are needed in State agencies as is their appropriate rate of representation, given they account for more than 50 percent of the population.

She attributed the modest rate of female leaders partly to shortcomings in personnel preparations. Women haven’t had many opportunities to engage in managerial activities.

Sen. Lt. Col. Bui Thi Lan Phuong, head of the board for military women under the Defence Ministry’s General Political Department, said there hasn’t been much help for female candidates during electioneering.

She highlighted the lack of awareness of women’s role in society. Many people still consider women’s main task is domestic work. Due to sexism and a lack of opportunities for training, women don’t receive much support in political participation.

Nguyen Thi Tuyet, deputy head of the Vietnam Women’s Union, said to increase women’s presence in the NA and all-level People’s Councils, localities as well as each voter should be aware that supporting female candidates promotes gender equality and social development.

Deputies to the 14th NA will be elected at the same time as those to all-level People’s Councils for the 2016 – 2021 tenure on May 22.

Source: VNA