These remarks were made at a meeting to celebrate the 100th International Women's Day.

The meeting also paid homage to the 1,970th anniversary of the Hai Ba Trung (Two Trung Sisters) Uprising and the 45th anniversary of the founding of the women's war-time emulation movement, which was dubbed "ba dam dang" (three responsibilities).

Exactly 1,970 years ago, the Trung Sisters led an uprising against the Han invaders to wrest independence back to the country, after it had experienced more than 200 years of foreign rule.

The uprising is remembered in Viet Nam's history as a symbol of the country's national strength and patriotism. The uprising also commemorates the importance of women's role in shaping the country.

The Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee's Secretary Ha Thi Khiet, National Assembly Deputy Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong, Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan, and the United Nations Resident Co-ordinator John Hendra attended the meeting together with representatives from various organisations.

Nguyen Thanh Hoa, Chairwoman of the Viet Nam Women's Union urged all women to be more patriotic, united, creative, courageous, and open-minded in order to better contribute to the society and community.

The Party Central Committee's Secretary Khiet was pleased that the Viet Nam Women's Union had been an effective representative of 13 million women nationwide. The union cares for their legitimate rights, and has their members through different periods of the revolutionary movement to protect and contribute to the development of the country.

She was confident that, with the vigorous development of the international women's movement coupled with the heroic traditions and intrepid will that is embedded in every single Vietnamese woman, Viet Nam women's movement would grow stronger and more successful in the coming time.

At the meeting, John Hendra, UN Resident Co-ordinator, hailed Viet Nam as an acknowledged leader in the region in promoting gender equality.

Viet Nam ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1982, and has established laws and policies that reflect CEDAW. Viet Nam has also passed two landmark laws: the Law on Gender Equality and the Law on Domestic Violence, which have worked to promote women's rights.

"Women represent almost half of the economically active population. Female and male participation rates in primary and secondary schools are congruent, and 25 percent of members of the National Assembly are women – the highest participation rate among the countries in ASEAN," said Hendra.

But the UN Resident Co-ordinator also warned that Viet Nam was still facing challenges like domestic abuse. The country must also work to end the practice of sex-selection among young parents, and it must protect women at work, while extending social protection for women in all sectors.

Hendra said, women should be treated on par with men in decision making, whether it is in the household, in community level forums, or in elected positions.

He said the UN strongly supported Viet Nam while it addresses these issues.

This year the UN will help support the development of a National Strategy for Gender Equality and a National Targeted Programme, together with a National Action Plan for Domestic Violence.

Last Saturday, President Nguyen Minh Triet presented the Golden Rose cups to 100 business women, who had considerably contributed to the nation's socio-economic development.

Most cup recipients are CEOs and chairs of management boards for big companies that specialise in banking, finance, services, trade and investment.

Triet congratulated them on their achievements, but noted that it will be a challenging year ahead.

The Golden Rose cups' presentation ceremony, which has been running for five years, is organised by the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Viet Nam Women's Union. — VNS