Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called for ASEAN member countries to promote policies more strongly to encourage equal participation of women in all fields where they are empowered and equipped with essential knowledge and skills to make effective contributions to the economy of the bloc.

He made the suggestion while delivering an online speech at the third ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit which was held in Vientiane (Laos) on August 23 with the theme: “Strengthen Care Economy and Resilience Towards ASEAN Community Post-2025”.

PM Chinh proposed to strengthen innovation, improve infrastructure, build a system of public health care and health services that are high quality, accessible and affordable, especially in poor, remote and isolated areas.

He called on ASEAN countries to continue to improve institutions and policies, and integrate women-related affairs into socio-economic development plans, to promote gender equality while adapting to rapid population aging as well as climate change.

The Vietnamese leader also called for joint efforts to increase investment in human resource training and vocational training for workers; mobilize social resources, particularly promoting private investment in developing the care economy; and strengthen cooperation to protect the legitimate rights and interests of workers, and prevent abuse, exploitation, discrimination and illegal activities, as well as transnational crimes such as cross-border human trafficking.