Venezuelan Ambassador to Viet Nam Tatiana Pugh Moreno (L) in the interview. (Photo: VNA)

Speaking to Vietnam News Agency on the threshold of the 13^th National Women Congress that will take place from March 9-11, the diplomat highlighted the influential role women have been playing throughout Viet Nam's national construction and defense.

She said that while women in many countries around the world are still struggling to protect their rights, in Viet Nam the Government has worked hard to build policies to ensure gender equality, considering it as a demand and part of the human rights that need protecting and promoting. This shows that Viet Nam has recognized the significance of the role of women in all areas of political, economic and social life, she stressed.

The ambassador held that the upcoming 13th National Women Congress has an essential meaning for Viet Nam, a chance to evaluate the achievements they have gained in the past five years and the challenges facing them in the future.

She underlined that President Ho Chi Minh mentioned the role of women and gender quality issues in 1930 when the Communist Party of Viet Nam was founded. Vietnamese women became a “long-haired” army throughout the struggles for national independence and liberalization. Today, during the country’s “Doi Moi” (Renewal) cause and economic development process, she noted that women are still affirming their role by actively engaging in and taking more and more leading positions in the political system.

Women take 9.5 percent of total seats at the 13^th Party Central Committee and 30.26 percent at the National Assembly of Viet Nam. She added that many women are leaders and owners of businesses and are making positive contributions to national economic development.

The Venezuelan ambassador expressed her belief that in the future, Vietnamese women will continue to take more critical positions in political, cultural and economic activities and further affirm their role in society.

Tatiana Pugh also expressed her strong impression of the work of Vietnamese women. She said they can be seen working in offices, streets, at home, and in schools, adding that Vietnamese women always work hard with constructive spirit and creativity.

Despite the long-distance, women in Viet Nam and their sisters in Venezuela have shared many similar values, especially confidence in solidarity, tradition, love and work. Vietnamese women always work to build their families and develop their hobbies, and so do Venezuelan women, stated the ambassador.

On occasion, she recalled the story of the meeting 57 years ago in Ha Noi between President Ho Chi Minh and Venezuelan revolutionary leader Elizabeth Tortosa, the wife of Jesús Faría Tortosa - the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Venezuela (1910 - 1995). Elizabeth Tortosa then wrote about the meeting with her deep impressions at the brainpower of President Ho Chi Minh, a great leader, she said.

Venezuela’s Ministry of Women and Gender Equality has added a subject named Elizabeth Tortosa with gender equality promotion contents into the curriculum in universities. This not only aims to honour Venezuelan but also Vietnamese women, as Elizabeth Tortosa is a symbol of the solidarity between Viet Nam and Venezuela, she said.

On behalf of Venezuelan people and women, Ambassador Tatiana Pugh wished that the 13^th National Women Congress of Viet Nam would be a great success, and Vietnamese women would continue to accompany the nation in the national cause of construction and defence.