PANEL DEBATES: WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP AND THE “GLASS CEILING” |
PANEL DEBATES: WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP AND THE “GLASS CEILING”
In the continuing effort towards women empowerment, World Bank and Tri Viet Institute for International Studies and Exchange (within Ton Duc Thang University) will co-organize, with support from Deloitte Vietnam, two panel debates on: Women in Leadership and the “Glass Ceiling[1]”, in Ha Noi on March 26, and Ho Chi Minh City on March 29 2013, with the participation of women role models as panelists. Experienced and accomplished, these panelists will analyze obstacles hindering women’s path to career success and leadership.
Until now, in the area of women’s leadership, the rates of female leaders in both the public and the private sector are still relatively low. In terms of women’s participation in parliament, while high compared to a number of other Asian countries, the percentage of women representatives in the National Assembly is at its lowest since 1997 at 24% and still below the target set by the Government of 30%. At the sub-national level, women’s representation is slightly better, although little progress between terms is observed and the target of a minimum of 30% women’s representation by 2011 has not been achieved. In terms of female leadership at the local level, the numbers are poor, and according to new data from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the ratio of people’s committee chairwomen and deputy chairwomen in the current term does not exceed 9% and there are now only 2 female provincial party secretaries in the country. Within Vietnamese enterprises, women are estimated to represent less than 25% of senior management. There is only one female member in the Board of Directors of the 12 largest State Owned Enterprises. Such statistics has prompted a question over whether women leadership potential has been properly recognized and developed. The limited number of women in leadership in both the public and private sector in a country with a legal framework promoting gender equality has therefore led many to believe that women encounter a “glass ceiling” in Viet Nam when trying to advance to high level positions.
Considering the above advancement constraints for women, the panel debates represent the cooperation between World Bank and Tri Viet Institute for the long-term development of Vietnam and Vietnamese women. In addition to highlighting the different causes, dimensions, and consequences of the glass ceiling, the panel debates aim to raise awareness among policy makers, business people, employees, civil servants, students, and the media, as well as come up with recommendations which could be taken forward by both private sector and Government.
The panel debates include a discussion session among the panelists and moderator, and an interactive Q&A session with the audience. Participant composition is diverse, including officials, scholars, academic faculty, professionals, entrepreneurs, social activists, media, students and other interested groups.
In Ha Noi, the panel debate – at Hilton Hotel from 1.30PM March 26 – will have Madam Ton Nu Thi Ninh as the moderator, and the panelists include:
- Mrs. Nguyen Thuy Hien - Deputy Minister, Ministry of Justice;
- Mrs. Pham Thu Hang - Secretary General of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry;
- Professor Dang Thi Kim Chi – University of Technology Hanoi, Kovaleskaia Award Winner;
- Mrs. Nguyen My Lan, CEO, General Electric Viet Nam and Cambodia;
- Mrs. Vu Thi Thuan, Chairwoman, Traphaco Co.
In Ho Chi Minh City - at Ton Duc Thang University (in District 7) from 1.30pm March 29 – the panel debate will be chaired by Madam Ton Nu Thi Ninh and joined by:
- Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hanh, CEO Saigon Co.op;
- Mrs. Ha Thu Thanh, CEO Deloitte Viet Nam;
- Mrs. Dang Thi Minh Phuong, CEO Minh Phuong Logistics Co., Chairwoman CEO Club;
- Mrs. Donna Hamlin, CEO Intrabond Capital, Advisory Specialist;
- Mrs. Vo Thi Hoang Yen, Founder & Director, Disability Resource & Development (DRD).
[1] The phrase “glass ceiling” refers to an invisible barrier that prevents someone from achieving further success. It is a way of describing whatever keeps women from achieving power and success equal to that of men
