Gender issues in philosophy and culture: A comparative research approach

Overview of the Opening session of the international scientific conference: "Gender issues in philosophy and culture: A comparative research approach"

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) shared: “In the world and in Vietnam today, there has been significant progress towards gender equality in many aspects of theory as well as practice. The proportion of women participating in high-level state agencies, being business owners, achieving high achievements in science, etc. is increasing. However, somewhere there is still the traditional male-dominated ideology that still affects many areas of modern life. Domestic violence and gender-based violence still exist, especially in areas with many economic and social difficulties; gender stereotypes also greatly affect the career choices and professional advancement opportunities of today's young generation. Therefore, research on gender issues, gender equality, and feminism attracts the attention of many experts in many fields: history, philosophy, law, sociology, psychology, etc. In the context of In that context, an international scientific conference on gender research in philosophy and culture from a comparative approach is truly of profound scientific and practical significance, providing a multidimensional perspective that can shed light on many gender issues in many aspects of life in Vietnam and the region.

Principal Hoang Anh Tuan delivered the opening speech at the workshop.

In the report introducing the Workshop, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Quang Hung (Faculty of Philosophy, VNU-USSH) with the topic: "Gender issues and feminism: some feelings" provided an overview of gender issues mentioned in philosophical and religious doctrines, as well as in modern social practices in Vietnam as well as in the world. According to Associate Professor Nguyen Quang Hung: "Gender issues, gender equality, considered from both individual and social aspects, are not only issues of Vietnam but of all humanity. The implementation of gender equality and feminism in contemporary society cannot be solved overnight, and even more so, it cannot be solved within the scope of a single country and certainly requires comprehensive and holistic solutions".

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Quang Hung presented the introductory report at the conference.

The workshop was divided into 3 sub-committees so that researchers and delegates could present their research results and discuss and exchange around the theme of the workshop.
Subcommittee 1: Gender issues in culture: Theory and practice.
Panel 2: Gender issues in philosophy
Subcommittee 3: Gender Equality: Some Theoretical and Practical Issues

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Quang Hung, Professor Dr. Tran Van Doan (Phu Nhan University, Taiwan (China), Dr. Ngo Dang Toan chaired the discussion session of Subcommittee 1.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Associate Professor Dr. Xie Li Li (Nanning Normal University, China), Dr. Pham Thanh Ha chaired the discussion session of Subcommittee 2

Delegates attending Subcommittee 2 "Gender issues in philosophy" of the Workshop
 

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Quang Hung, Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Thi Hanh, Dr. Ngo Dang Toan chaired the discussion session of Subcommittee 3.

At the Conference, domestic and foreign scholars directly presented the results of research on gender issues in philosophy (through the theories of prominent philosophers in history), in culture, religion (through the teachings and practices of religions and beliefs), as well as in current practical life in countries around the world and in Vietnam.

In his research, Professor Tran Van Doan (Phu Nhan University) put forward a thesis about the Vietnamese way of thinking based on the principle of maternalism. The maternal way of thinking follows a decisive rule in life such as the factors that create life (birth), nurture (nurture), educate (education) and sublimate in life (joy). To affirm his thesis, Professor Tran Van Doan cited many concepts, symbols, and cultural phenomena related to the image of "mother", "mother", valuing and honoring the role of women in religious life, beliefs, in the family and society. The issue of gender and promoting feminism is not a problem of modern society, but the idea of ​​promoting the role of women has its roots in the traditional culture of Vietnam".

Some reports presented at the Workshop analyzed the contents of gender, feminism, and women's liberation that were also mentioned in the works of a number of philosophers, social activists, and thinkers: Hegel; John Stuart Mill, Simone de Beauvoir, Amartya Sen, etc. The reports pointed out that, although at different levels, the gender issue is considered by philosophers from many different approaches, on that basis explaining the deep roots of gender inequality and proposing a number of solutions to reduce that situation, affirming and promoting the role of women in all areas of social life.
In a comparative view, scholars share research results on the ideology of promoting women through some specific cases such as: Prof. Dr. Tsai Wei-Min (Atheilia University) with the report: "Interpretation of the Mazu Belief Phenomenon in Taiwan from a Global Perspective"; Prof. Dr. Wang Shang-Wen (Krirk University): "Goddess or God: The Transformation of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara"; Prof. Dr. Jean-Francois Duypeyron (University of Bordeaux Montaigne): "I am as important as you: Proposals for a comprehensive feminist education".
The research results presented at the Workshop attracted enthusiastic discussion from delegates attending directly at the hall as well as online on the Zoom platform.
 

Prof. Dr. Tsai Wei-Min presented a report at the Workshop
 

Concluding the workshop, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan affirmed: The workshop mentioned a very interesting scientific issue, demonstrated through about 70 reports submitted, of which more than 20 reports were presented directly, about 50 opinions were exchanged enthusiastically, commented, and shared by many researchers, lecturers, and graduate students from universities at home and abroad. Rarely is the issue of gender discussed thoroughly on an official philosophical forum. Through the workshop, scholars basically agreed that: The concept of gender has existed for a long time in history, both in Vietnam and in the world. In Vietnam, the struggle for gender equality has achieved significant results, the role and position of women in society have been recognized by law, ideological system as well as in practical life. Based on the analysis of gender issues in philosophy, culture and religion, the reports have proposed a number of solutions to improve the status of women in society, focusing on a number of groups of solutions: perfecting institutions and policies on gender equality; strengthening support policies, creating conditions for women to study, receive professional training, and participate in all aspects of social life (politics, economics, culture, science and technology, artistic creation). At the same time, women themselves need to have a correct and sufficient awareness of their role, thereby forming the need to self-affirm their value and role, rise up to seize opportunities for self-development and contribute to the development of society.
On behalf of the Organizing Committee of the conference, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan expressed his gratitude for the effective and quality participation of domestic and foreign scholars who submitted elaborate and careful research, and spent their precious time attending the conference and openly exchanging and sharing a lot of useful information. The Organizing Committee of the Conference plans to organize review and edit to publish the conference proceedings in the near future.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan delivered a concluding speech at the conference.

Some pictures of delegates presenting reports and exchanging comments at the Workshop

Press reported:
- giaoduc.net:International scientific conference on gender issues from philosophical and cultural perspectives