On the morning of June 17, within the framework of the 14th National Congress of Women, term 2026-2031, Workshop Center No. 3 with the theme "The role of women in economic development, contributing to the achievement of the country's rapid and sustainable growth goals" took place at the National Convention Center.
The discussion session was co-chaired by Ms. Tran Lan Phuong - Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Women's Union (VWU), National Assembly Deputy of the 16th term and Ms. Pham Thi Thuy Linh - Member of the Presidium of the Central Vietnam Women's Union, General Director of Tinh Thuong Microfinance Organization One Member Limited Liability Company (TYM).
Affirming the role of women in the green economy and digital economy
In her introductory speech, Ms. Tran Lan Phuong emphasized that the topic is of special significance in the context that the country is promoting the implementation of rapid and sustainable development goals, strongly promoting the role of science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and the private economy.
According to Ms. Tran Lan Phuong, this is not only an opportunity to fully recognize the contributions of women in economic development in the past time, but also an opportunity to identify opportunities and challenges, thereby proposing solutions to further promote the role and potential of women in the new development stage.
In the context of the country entering a new growth period, women are not only an important labor force but also an active subject in innovation, digital transformation, green economic development and circular economy.
From there, the Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Women's Union proposed that delegates focus on discussing solutions to help women participate more deeply in new growth drivers such as science and technology, digital economy, green economy, circular economy; and at the same time propose mechanisms and policies to develop a team of female entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs, women in production and business, and promote the role of women in private economic development and international economic integration.
At the forum, Ms. Trinh Thi Huong - Deputy Director of the Department of Private Enterprise Development and Collective Economy (Ministry of Finance) - shared about the role of women's businesses in applying digital technology to promote the green economy and sustainable private economic development.
According to Ms. Trinh Thi Huong, women-owned enterprises currently account for about 21-25% of the total number of operating enterprises. Not only contributing positively to economic growth and job creation, women-owned enterprises also stand out with a responsible, transparent management approach, towards long-term development and sustainable development standards.
However, women-owned businesses are still facing many barriers in the digital transformation and green transformation process. Therefore, breakthrough solutions are needed such as supporting financial access; designing dual transformation support packages specifically for women-owned businesses; building a shared digital platform; developing a network of advisors and expanding the market for women-owned businesses towards green and digital.
In particular, Ms. Trinh Thi Huong emphasized the role of the Vietnam Women's Union in participating in building, criticizing and supervising policies related to business development owned by women, ensuring gender equality goals and supporting businesses to be concretized by resources and clear implementation mechanisms.
Professor Tran Thi Viet Nga, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, affirmed that women are an important factor in promoting the green economy and circular economy. According to her, investing in women in scientific research, technology transfer and green innovation is not only to achieve gender equality but also a strategic choice to accelerate the sustainable development of the nation.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoang Yen - Deputy Director of the Department of Cooperative Economics and Rural Development (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) - emphasized the role of women in developing high-tech agriculture associated with green growth.
According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoang Yen, the Vietnam Women's Union needs to continue to innovate its operating methods, not only supporting poverty reduction but also becoming a "midwife" for women in developing the digital economy, green economy and collective economy. Union levels need to strengthen consulting and supporting women to start businesses, establish cooperatives, access capital, science and technology, digital transformation and market connection.
Investing in women is not only investing in gender equality but also investing in the future of green, modern and more resilient agriculture," Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoang Yen affirmed.
Many proposals to support women's economic development
The content of supporting women's entrepreneurship and economic development also received many heartfelt opinions from participating delegates.
Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Linh - Chairwoman of the Ca Mau Provincial Women's Union - said that the union levels in the province have synchronously implemented many solutions to support women in accessing capital, science and technology, digital transformation and product consumption markets.
With the role of a bridge of resources and a "midwife" for women starting businesses, the Association organization has contributed to arousing the spirit of self-reliance and the desire to get rich legitimately of women; promoting the transition from small-scale production to commodity production, participating in the value chain and developing typical OCOP products of the locality.
Associations at all levels in Ca Mau also strongly apply digital technology through nearly 600 Zalo, Facebook and fanpage groups to propagate and promote products, spread typical startup models, connecting women with resources to support economic development.
From local practice, Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Linh proposed solutions to continue to unlock resources, improve capacity for women in economic development and legitimate enrichment, contributing to building a team of female entrepreneurs and female business owners to become stronger and stronger.
