On the occasion of the International Women's Day of Vietnam on March 8, the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union in collaboration with the United Nations Women in Vietnam and the Embassy of Ireland organized an exchange program with the theme: "Breaking gender stereotypes about occupations: Towards gender equality" at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU on March 6, 2013.The program was attended by Ms. Suzette Mitchell - Chief Representative of the United Nations Women in Vietnam, Mr. Damien Cole - Ambassador of Ireland in Vietnam, Ms. Deborah Chatsis - Ambassador of Canada in Vietnam, Mr. Fernado Curcio Ruigomez - Ambassador of Spain in Vietnam; Mr. Duong Van An - Secretary of the Central Executive Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and non-governmental organizations... The program had the participation of guests who are women doing jobs that are not traditionally considered such as: Ms. Nguyen Thao - Social Executive Director working in the restaurant industry, Ms. Vo Thanh Thao - pilot, Ms. Vo Mai Huyen - traffic police, Ms. Phan Ngoc Thuy - taxi driver. They are doing jobs that are still considered men's. Their thoughts and perceptions about their current jobs show that they are people who have broken gender stereotypes about their careers, overcome difficulties and social barriers to affirm the role and position of women. To do such jobs, these women all have in common: passion, ability to withstand high pressure, positive mindset change, and integration into the world.
To highlight the equality between women and men in career opportunities, the program also invited men who are doing jobs that are traditionally considered for women: Mr. Benoit Ollevier – a housewife, Mr. Vu Ngoc Binh – Feminist expert, Mr. Nguyen Trong Viet – Kindergarten teacher, Mr. Cao Chi Thanh – Ballet artist. These men are all going against traditional gender expectations in Vietnam. They do jobs that are not typical for their gender, breaking gender stereotypes, concepts and prejudices.
Honoring pioneers who do jobs that are not typical for their gender or jobs that are assumed to be for the opposite gender, Mr. Duong Van An - Secretary of the Central Youth Union affirmed: Vietnamese society today has gradually eliminated gender stereotypes and prejudices about careers to move towards gender equality. Everyone has their own career passion, overcoming the stereotypes and prejudices of society and they will succeed when they persistently pursue that passion. In her speech, Ms. Suzette Michell - Chief Representative of the United Nations Women in Vietnam emphasized that: Everyone should question their beliefs, the gender stereotypes that those beliefs are holding and eliminate them. Smash them to allow you to realize that a man or a woman can do anything and gender equality gives you that freedom.
This exchange program has brought a strong advocacy message to promote gender equality, especially in the field of labor. Women and men are encouraged to participate in eliminating gender-based discrimination and violence, promoting women's rights and advancement. Through this program, the school's students had the opportunity to exchange and discuss with guests about gender stereotypes, draw thoughts and lessons to overcome gender stereotypes about careers.
