Ethnic and national unity strengthened

Phong made the statement at a conference jointly held in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on January 23 by the NA Ethnicity Council and the Irish Aid Agency.

Participants at the event focused their discussions on policies of ethnicity and gender equality, as well as law enforcement in provinces and cities which are home to ethnic minority people.

Phong emphasised that ethnic and national unity issues play a key role in the nation’s revolutionary cause.

At present, dozens of programmes and large projects are being implemented in mountainous areas inhabited by large numbers of ethnic minority groups. Most of them concentrate on infrastructure development, education, health care, poverty reduction, and cultural preservation, she noted.

Vietnam is committed to promoting gender equality through legislation and has earned international plaudits. However, Phong said, the implementation of policies on ethnicity and gender equality is facing numerous difficulties due to an incongruent legal system and a limited awareness of the issues by civil servants. As a result, many people, especially ethnic minority women and children, still suffer disadvantages in vocational training, employment opportunities, and education services.

She called for the relevant ministries, agencies and localities to provide better care for needy people.