Decision No. 1241/QD-TTg approves the National Program on Gender Equality for the period 2011-2015.

Pursuant to …;

Approving the National Program on Gender Equality for the period 2011-2015

_______________________________

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Pursuant to the Gender Equality Law dated November 29, 2006;

Pursuant to Resolution No. 11-NQ/TW dated April 27, 2007 of the Politburo on women's work during the period of industrialization and modernization of the country;

Pursuant to Decree No. 48/2009/NĐ-CP dated May 19, 2009 of the Government on measures to ensure gender equality;

Pursuant to Decision No. 2351/QĐ-TTg dated December 24, 2010 of the Prime Minister approving the National Strategy on Gender Equality for the period 2011-2020;

Considering the proposal of the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs,

DECISION:

Article 1. Approves the National Program on Gender Equality for the period 2011-2015 with the following main contents:

1. Objectives of the Program: To create a strong shift in awareness to promote the entire society to change behavior in implementing gender equality; gradually narrow the gender gap and raise the status of women in certain areas that remain unequal or at high risk of gender inequality, contributing to successfully achieving the objectives of the National Strategy on Gender Equality for the period 2011-2020.

2. Subjects and Scope of the Program:

a) Subjects of the Program: State agencies; economic organizations, public service units, people's armed forces units; political organizations, political-social organizations, political-social-professional organizations, social organizations, social-professional organizations; families, citizens.

b) Scope of the Program: The Program will be implemented nationwide.

3. Contents of the Program:

a) Communication Project to Enhance Awareness and Change Behavior Regarding Gender Equality (Project 1).

- Objective of the Project: 70% of civil servants, employees, officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers, personnel receiving salaries in the armed forces, and students at all levels and community clusters will be educated to enhance their understanding of gender equality.

- Scope of Implementation of the Project: Nationwide.

- Contents of the Project: Organize training courses to improve communication skills regarding gender equality for a team of speakers, reporters, editors from communication agencies; research, develop and produce communication programs and products about gender equality; organize activities and campaigns to enhance awareness of gender equality suitable for specific target groups and residential areas; conduct surveys on societal perceptions of gender equality.

- Implementing Agency of the Project: Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall take the lead and coordinate with the National Committee for Women's Advancement, Ministry of Information and Communications, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Health, Ethnic Council, Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union, Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, Central Committee of the Vietnam Farmers' Union, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and localities.

b) Project to Enhance Capacity and Effectiveness of State Management on Gender Equality (Project 2).

- Objective of the Project: 100% of officials working on gender equality and women's advancement, policy advisors, and legal officials at central ministries and local authorities, and gender equality volunteers at village, commune, and ward levels will be trained in knowledge and skills related to gender equality activities; establish and utilize databases on gender equality and monitoring and evaluation indicators for the implementation of the Law on Gender Equality.

- Scope of Implementation of the Project: Nationwide.

- Contents of the Project (including three sub-projects):

+ Sub-project to Enhance Capacity for Officials and Volunteers Working on Gender Equality, Policy Advisors, and Legal Officials (Sub-project 1): Develop training programs and compile training materials on gender equality operations; organize short-term and long-term training; provide capacity-building training; organize learning and experience-sharing sessions for management officials and gender equality workers according to plans.

+ Sub-project to Support Pilot Implementation of Certain Central Agencies and People's Committees of Provinces and Cities Directly Under the Central Government in Fully Integrating Gender Equality Issues into the Process of Drafting Regulatory Documents (Sub-project 2).

+ Sub-project to Establish and Utilize Databases on Gender Equality and Monitoring and Evaluation Indicators for the Implementation of the Law on Gender Equality (Sub-project 3).

- Implementing Agency of the Project: Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Planning and Investment, National Committee for Women's Advancement, relevant agencies, and localities.

c) Project to Enhance Capacity for Female National Assembly Deputies, Female Provincial People's Council Deputies at All Levels, Female Managers, and Female Leaders at All Levels; Female Candidates for National Assembly Deputies and Provincial People's Council Deputies for the 2016-2020 Term, and Female Cadres in the Cadre Reserve Pool (Project 3).

- Objective of the Project: To implement support measures to help women enhance their capacity to participate in management and leadership positions in state management agencies, public service units at central and local levels; gradually create a pool of female cadres to participate in management and leadership positions in Party agencies, elected bodies, administrative agencies, public service units, and political-social organizations at all levels by 2020 to achieve the targets set out in the National Strategy on Gender Equality for the period 2011-2020.

- Subjects of the Project: Female National Assembly deputies of the 13th term, female provincial People's Council deputies for the 2011-2016 term; female managers and leaders at all levels; female cadres in the cadre reserve pool; persons responsible for formulating and organizing the implementation of policies directly affecting female cadres.

- Scope of Implementation of the Project: Nationwide.

- Contents of the Project:

+ Study and assess the impact of institutional systems and policies on female cadres.

+ Initial support for the implementation of planning work for female managerial and leadership cadres: Conduct surveys and assessments of the current situation of female managerial and leadership cadres at all levels from central to local. Recommend measures and policies related to cadre source development, planning, training, and appointment to create favorable conditions for agencies in arranging and appointing key female cadres in central and provincial-level agencies; preparation of personnel for National Assembly and People's Council elections at all levels.

+ Support for building and enhancing capacity for central and local agencies responsible for policy formulation and implementation directly affecting female cadres.

+ Organize activities aimed at enhancing the capacity of managerial and leadership cadres at all levels and the capacity of cadres within the scope of planning for management and leadership positions in state administrative agencies, public institutions; creating sources for participation in Party committees, representative bodies, and political-social organizations.

+ Organize activities aimed at enhancing the capacity for gender equality activities among female National Assembly deputies of the 13th term and female deputies of People's Councils at all levels during the 2011-2016 tenure.

+ Establish forums and networks to facilitate experience exchange between female National Assembly deputies, People's Council deputies, and female leaders at all levels.

- Implementing agency: The Ministry of Home Affairs will lead and coordinate with the Central Organization Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Committee for Ethnic Minorities, the National Committee for Women's Advancement, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Vietnam Women's Union, and other relevant agencies and localities to implement the first four activities of the Project. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs will lead and coordinate with relevant agencies to implement the last two activities of the Project.

d) The Project supports the implementation of gender equality in areas, sectors, regions, and localities where gender inequality exists or is highly likely to occur (Project 4).

- Objective of the Project: To build and pilot five models aimed at reducing gender inequality.

- Scope of Implementation of the Project: Selected localities and units.

- Contents of the Project:

+ Model supporting women in job creation, starting, and developing enterprises at ten vocational training centers and employment service centers (Model 1): Training vocational skills and business management for women who wish to establish small and medium-sized enterprises; supporting women in starting businesses through activities such as providing premises, promoting products, and offering preferential loans.

+ Pilot model for establishing ten childcare centers in offices, vocational training centers, and industrial zones (Model 2): Supporting rental of premises and initial equipment for childcare centers in selected offices, vocational training centers, and industrial zones; piloting a mechanism for organizing childcare centers in industrial zones based on the principle of joint implementation by the State, enterprises, and workers.

+ Model for preventing and mitigating the harm of gender-based violence in 63 communes (one commune per province/city) (Model 3): Building and implementing activities of clubs aimed at preventing and mitigating the harm of gender-based violence. Developing and financially supporting hotlines and shelters for victims of gender-based violence that are already operating effectively in communities. Providing psychological counseling and recovery services for victims of gender-based violence. Assisting victims in accessing violence prevention and control services, medical services, recreational activities, and other social welfare services to integrate into the community. Conducting awareness-raising and training sessions for the public, including young people, on gender equality and gender-based violence.

+ Model supporting 315 communes (five communes per province/city) in revising and establishing village regulations ensuring gender equality principles (Model 4): Providing technical and financial support for reviewing, researching, amending, supplementing, and establishing village regulations to ensure gender equality principles, particularly focusing on changing the preference for male children and discrimination against female children in inheritance. Organizing training and awareness-raising sessions for village chiefs, respected individuals, and villagers on gender equality. Organizing visits to learn from experiences, conferences, seminars, and discussions to replicate and expand the model at various levels.

+ Pilot model for gender equality advisory and support services in 30 mountainous and highland communes, wards, and towns for ethnic minority groups (Model 5): Surveying and evaluating the current status of gender equality in mountainous and highland communes. Establishing pilot information and advisory services (at rural post and telegraph stations, at homes of respected individuals in villages) to enhance awareness of gender equality practices among certain ethnic groups affected by customs and traditions leading to gender inequality (child marriage, consanguineous marriage). Developing appropriate communication products for each ethnic group to promote gradual changes in customs and traditions causing gender inequality. Organizing visits to learn from experiences, conferences, seminars, and discussions to replicate and expand the model.

- Implementing Agency:

+ The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs will lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the National Committee for Women's Advancement, the Vietnam Women's Union, the General Confederation of Trade Unions, and other relevant agencies and localities to implement Models 1, 2, and 3.

+ The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the National Committee for Women's Advancement, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union, the Vietnam Farmers' Association, the Vietnam Elderly Association, and other relevant agencies and localities to organize the implementation of Model 4.

+ The Committee for Ethnic Minorities Affairs shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the National Committee for Women's Advancement, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union, and other relevant agencies and localities to organize the implementation of Model 5.

d) Project to support the development of counseling and support services for gender equality (Project 5).

- Objective of the Project: To pilot the establishment and operation of four social work centers providing support services for gender equality activities.

- Target of the Project: Agencies, organizations, families, and individuals.

- Scope of Implementation of the Project: In some districts, counties, towns, cities representing various regions, areas, and regions across the country.

- Content of the Project: Support four social work centers to provide support services for gender equality activities in some districts, counties, towns, cities in provinces (selecting four central cities representing four regions: Northern, Central, Central Highlands, and Southern). Review the availability and accessibility of gender equality promotion services of the selected social work centers. Propose additional functions for providing support services for gender equality activities at the chosen centers. Provide resources and technical assistance to develop support and counseling services for gender equality. Study and issue guiding documents on the organization and operation of service facilities for support and counseling on gender equality.

- Implementing Agency of the Project: The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the National Committee for Women's Advancement, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union, the General Confederation of Labor, the Vietnam Farmers' Association, and related localities to implement the Project.

e) Monitoring and Evaluation Activities of the Program: Annually, organize monitoring, evaluation, and regular and ad hoc reporting systems according to requirements for the implementation of projects. Conduct mid-term evaluations in 2013; evaluate the effectiveness and impact of each project and the program upon completion in 2015.

4. Measures to Implement the Program:

a) Strengthen the leadership of Party committees and authorities at all levels over gender equality and women's advancement work. Incorporate gender equality goals into annual and periodical socio-economic development plans at both central and local levels. Enhance annual, mid-term, and final-term inspections and evaluations of gender equality goal achievements according to five-year plans of all levels and sectors. Establish a mechanism for regular reporting and information dissemination to leaders at all levels regarding gender equality work.

b) Vigorously promote information dissemination, popularization, and education to raise awareness about gender equality among cadres, civil servants, public officials, workers, officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers, personnel receiving salaries in armed forces, and the general public. Continuously monitor and inspect cultural and information activities from a gender perspective.

c) Diversify resource mobilization from the state, community, and international sources for the implementation of the Program. Prioritize budget allocation for national targets on gender equality.

d) Strengthen specialized and inter-agency inspection and supervision of gender equality activities and cases of violation of gender equality laws. Enhance the capacity of specialized inspection staff on gender equality from central to local levels.

e) Promote scientific research and international cooperation. Increase exchanges and sharing of experiences, expand international cooperation; mobilize and effectively utilize foreign aid.

5. Funding for the Implementation of the Program:

- Funding for the Program will be allocated from the following sources: central and local government budgets; international aid; social and community mobilization; and other lawful sources.

- The total funding for the Program is VND 955 billion, including:

+ State budget: VND 790 billion (central budget allocation: VND 326 billion, local budget allocation: VND 464 billion).

+ International aid, social and community mobilization, and other lawful sources: VND 165 billion.

- The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Finance shall be responsible for unifying and determining the funding from the central budget to implement the National Program on Gender Equality for the 2011-2015 period in accordance with the State Budget Law and guiding documents.

Article 2. Implementation of the Program

1. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Committee for Ethnic Minorities Affairs, and other relevant agencies and organizations, People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities to develop implementation plans and coordinate activities of the Program; take the lead in managing and organizing the implementation of assigned projects within the Program in accordance with current regulations; take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs to guide the establishment and operation of social work centers providing support services for gender equality activities in some districts, counties, towns, cities in provinces; study and allocate sufficient staff for gender equality work; form a team of volunteers participating in gender equality work at the grassroots level; improve the Women's Advancement Councils at ministries, sectors, and localities; organize monitoring and evaluation activities of the Program; conduct mid-term reviews and final summaries, and report to the Prime Minister.

2. The Ministry of Information and Communications shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs to strengthen guidance and direction for mass media agencies to intensify and innovate communication and education activities on policies, laws, and gender equality initiatives; enhance inspection, supervision, and strictly handle information, press, and publishing activities containing gender stereotypes.

3. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall strengthen inspection, supervision, and strict management of cultural products and entertainment activities to ensure they do not contain gender stereotypes; take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs to study and propose the construction and development of a system of services for preventing and combating domestic violence based on gender; take the lead in managing and organizing the implementation of assigned activities under the Program in accordance with current regulations.

4. The Ministry of Justice shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs to develop a mechanism for cooperation in evaluating the integration of gender equality issues in the drafting of regulatory legal documents.

5. The Ministry of Home Affairs shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and relevant agencies to guide ministries, sectors, provinces, and centrally-administered cities to determine and allocate sufficient civil servant positions for gender equality work as stipulated in the National Gender Equality Strategy for the period 2011-2020; take the lead in managing and organizing the implementation of assigned activities under the Program in accordance with current regulations.

6. The Committee for Ethnic Minorities shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and relevant agencies to organize activities to promote, disseminate, educate, and mobilize the implementation of policies and laws on gender equality for ethnic minority communities to enhance the understanding of village cadres, village chiefs, and respected individuals in remote areas, ethnic minority regions, and regions with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions about gender equality; take the lead in managing and organizing the implementation of assigned activities under the Program in accordance with current regulations.

7. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, and other relevant ministries and sectors to mobilize official development assistance for programs and projects aimed at promoting gender equality; incorporate gender equality targets and indicators into annual national socio-economic development plans; guide the incorporation of gender equality targets and indicators into the formulation and evaluation of results of targets and indicators in sectoral and local socio-economic development strategies, plans, and programs.

8. The Ministry of Finance shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment to allocate central budget funds for agencies to implement the Program in accordance with the State Budget Law; take the lead in guiding financial management mechanisms for Program Projects; take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs to draft guidelines, inspect, and supervise the use of funds for implementing the Program.

9. Vietnam News Agency, Voice of Vietnam Radio, Vietnam Television, People's Army Newspaper, and other mass media agencies shall increase broadcasting time, number of news items and articles, and improve the quality of publicity on gender equality.

10. Central-level agencies and organizations participating in the Program shall be responsible for building and implementing annual plans to fulfill assigned tasks; guide localities to integrate their activities with the Program's objectives; regularly report to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs on the results of Program implementation for consolidation and reporting to the Prime Minister.

11. Provincial People's Committees directly under the central government shall be responsible for coordinating Program activities within their jurisdiction; build and implement annual activity plans on gender equality that align with this Program and related guidance documents from relevant functional ministries and sectors, consistent with the socio-economic development plan of the locality during the same period; effectively integrate the implementation of this Program with other related programs in the locality; intensify inter-sectoral collaboration in gender equality activities; allocate local budgets and human resources to implement the Program at the local level; regularly inspect Program implementation at the local level; periodically report to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs on the results of Program implementation for consolidation and reporting to the Prime Minister.

12. It is requested that the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, the Vietnam Women's Union Central Committee, the General Confederation of Labor Vietnam, the Vietnam Farmers' Union Central Committee, and other member organizations cooperate with relevant agencies during the implementation of the Program; intensify propaganda and education efforts to raise awareness about gender equality within their organizations; participate in monitoring Program implementation.

Article 3. This Decision takes effect from the date of issuance.

Article 4. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of governmental agencies, heads of related agencies and organizations, and Chairpersons of provincial and centrally-administered city People's Committees shall be responsible for enforcing this Decision.