Women lead the charge in promoting gender equality
To confidently shine and maximize the wealth of opportunities at their disposal, while adeptly managing the pressures and challenges of contemporary life, Vietnamese women today are finding themselves at a crossroads of transformation and change…
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The World & Viet Nam Report had an interview with Ms. To Thuy Diem Quyen, the founder and CEO of InnEdu, one of the 20 most inspirational women of 2021 as selected by Forbes Viet Nam.
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| Ms. To Thuy Diem Quyen, the founder and CEO of InnEdu, one of the 20 most inspirational women of 2021 as selected by Forbes Viet Nam. |
With society’s continuous advancement and our nation’s deeper global integration, what roles do Vietnamese women play in the new era, in your view?
In today’s era, women fulfill multifaceted roles. They are pivotal within the familial nucleus and simultaneously emerge as influential leaders within the broader community and society at large. International integration has flung open the doors for Vietnamese women, connecting them with international networks and organizations. We witness a burgeoning number of exceptional female diplomats who have significant influence on the global stage.
Furthermore, women are at the forefront of the technological revolution, a domain traditionally perceived as male-dominated. Through resilience and innovation, many women have transcended gender barriers to become pivotal figures, driving growth and modernization within the tech industries.
Women are even more indispensable in the country’s economic advancement. Their diverse skills and capabilities enrich our national human resources. The increasing proportion of women in strategic economic positions shows that modern women’s roles and capabilities have made strong strides.
With the changes of the modern era, how should women adapt to master technology and life, and to lead, as you’ve mentioned?
In the new era, women not only fight for their rights but also lead the charge in promoting gender equality. They work to eliminate biases and barriers. Thus, paving the way for future generations of women to have more opportunities in education, employment, and participation in important societal decisions. Women asserting their societal and familial roles is the most potent tool for actualizing gender equality.
What opportunities are women currently seizing?
Today’s women have the world at their fingertips, with access to high-quality education, specialized training, and skill development, all of which cement their place in the workforce. The increasing proliferation of policies and initiatives aimed at elevating women’s participation in decision-making and leadership roles across public and private sectors is a testament to this. Women’s multidimensional thinking and holistic problem-solving abilities suggest that leadership groups benefit greatly from female inclusion, which brings a wealth of perspectives and diverse solutions. The business landscape is now more welcoming to women than ever before, extensive with resources and dedicated support systems for female entrepreneurs looking to venture out and grow their businesses.
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| Leader Talks "Women in Tech: Break Through The Barriers" highlighted women's role in technology. (Photo: VnExpress) |
Is mastering artificial intelligence an advantage for anyone willing to utilize it?
The advancements in information and communication technology afford women unprecedented opportunities to access information, to learn, and to integrate new tools into their professional and personal lives. There is an inspiring number of women who have carved successful paths in the tech industry. Take Microsoft’s Digi Girlz project, for instance, which encourages women to pursue careers in technology. This initiative has enabled millions of young women globally to choose careers in the tech field.
Your insights suggest that the world is rapidly evolving, and women must adapt to keep pace. However, does this imply that women are shouldering an excessive burden of responsibilities?
Despite progress, gender equality, especially in leadership and management, remains a significant challenge.
Women often face great pressure in balancing work and family responsibilities. Access to investment capital, business resources, and technology is still a barrier for many women, especially in rural areas. Gender bias and societal prejudice can limit women’s career development opportunities. Domestic violence and sexual harassment remain major concerns, affecting the safety and development of women.
Jack Ma once said: “Should we try to remember more information? No, because that is no longer necessary. We should try to learn what requires us to be creative.” Facing life’s challenges, what criteria do women need to meet to confidently develop?
Women should arm themselves with a robust educational foundation and maintain a lifelong learning attitude, continuously updating their knowledge and skills to meet the demands of the evolving job market. Building self-confidence and the ability to make sound decisions based on careful analysis and evaluation is essential for women to stand firm against the tides of pressure and challenges. Developing leadership and management skills, including effective communication, problem-solving, team collaboration, and time management, is crucial for success. Importantly, women must be prepared to innovate and adapt to new circumstances, harnessing new technologies and methodologies to improve work efficiency.
It is vital for women to increase their awareness of self-protection against risks such as gender-based violence and sexual harassment and to know how to seek help when needed. Active participation in social and community activities, contributing to collective development, enhances one’s social standing and influence. Through such engagement, they can fully realize their potential.
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| An "Ao dai" performance at the programme held by Vietnam Women's Union on February 29, 2024. (Photo: VNA) |
As someone who often works in an international environment, what do you think Vietnamese women are lacking?
In this era of deep international integration and the fourth industrial revolution, Vietnamese women are presented with abundant opportunities for holistic growth. To confidently shine and maximize these opportunities, while still effectively navigating pressures and challenges, Vietnamese women in the new era must embrace change and transformation.
They should proactively enhance their professional knowledge and skills, particularly those vital in the digital age, such as IT proficiency, programming, project management, and soft skills. Expanding their global perspective and understanding of diverse trends and cultures is crucial to adapting and succeeding internationally while preserving national cultural identity.
Engagement in professional support networks and communities, both domestically and abroad, is key for sharing knowledge, experiences, and creating opportunities for oneself and others. Developing time management skills and prioritizing tasks, while seeking a balance between work and personal life, is essential for physical and mental well-being. Women should boldly make decisions and take actions based on their knowledge and convictions, not fearing failure but viewing it as a growth opportunity. Setting clear career goals and actively seeking advancement opportunities, while being open to new challenges across different fields, is essential.
If you were to inspire and empower women to be bold and shine in their unique ways, what would you say?
I transformed my life at the age of 46 - a time when many believe they should settle for the status quo. In reality, at any stage of life, we can strive to step out of our comfort zones toward a better existence. The key is never to cease learning and self-improvement every single day. Regardless of your profession, you can always become a better version of yourself than you were yesterday. Women - do not let your minds and hearts linger on sadness and negativity. Life is full of opportunities for those who are willing to grasp them.
Thank you very much!
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