The role of women intellectuals in community development and environmental protection

Speaking at the seminar, Dr. Sc. Phan Xuan Dung, President of VUSTA said that female scientists and intellectuals in VUSTA’s system have significantly contributed to the organization's achievements. There are a number of female scientists who have been honored and received international awards.

Dr. Sc Phan Xuan Dung delivered an opening speech

Women taking the role of wife and mother and carrying out activities that have made remarkable contributions to the development of the country. The Party and State always take gender equality seriously and ensure women's rights. The Women's Union and the entire political system have actively implemented international initiatives to enhance the protection of women's rights. However, women still face certain difficulties when participating in science and technology activities.

Regarding the role and position of women scientists, Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Training Committee Lai Xuan Mon emphasized that: during Doi Moi (renewal) process, Vietnamese female intellectuals have put more efforts to affirm their role and position in all areas of social life. With their talent and will as well as the spirit overcoming difficulties, women scientists have been working day and night silently and devotedly to bring scientific products to our lives, especially in the fields of environment protection, response to climate change and support for community development, contributing to the construction and defense of the Fatherland, bringing honor and glory for the country.

However, apart from the achievements, female intellectuals also face many difficulties and barriers in their process of implementation of activities. In addition, the general challenges of the country such as the trend of globalization, the impacts of the revolution of science, technology and the knowledge economy associated with environmental protection, also need Vietnamese female intellectuals to join hands to address.

Referring to the effects of environmental pollution on the health of women and children in Vietnam, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luong Mai Anh, Deputy Director of the Department of Health Environmental Management (Ministry of Health), pointed out that currently in Vietnam, there is a lack of policies on environmental health as a basis for the development and implementation of plans and activities to protect public health, and limited awareness of authorities at all levels and communities on protecting women's and children's health against the risks of environmental pollution. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luong Mai Anh proposed 8 solutions, which focused on strengthening interdisciplinary coordination, considering health protection as an important goal in controlling and limiting the emission of pollutants into environment and boosting communication, raising awareness for the authorities and the community about health protection against the impact of environmental pollution.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Tram, Plant Research and Development Institute, Vietnam Academy of Agriculture

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Tram, Institute of Plant Research and Development under the Vietnam Academy of Agriculture, intellectuals in general and female intellectuals in particular are educated and knowledgeable people. Their in-depth knowledge has been applied in solving issues of production and life.

At the seminar, delegates exchanged ideas on conducting surveys, researching and assessing the effects of environmental pollution on the health of women and children; strengthening communication to advocate policies; raising awareness for the authorities, ministries, communities on health protection against environmental pollution impacts; capacity building for health workers and departments, the Women's Union and related organizations; reviewing all resolutions and policies on gender equality to adjust or amend the law; and assessing on the implementation of gender equality on annual basis.

Scene of the workshop