For Vietnamese Stature Foundation is honored to be invited as a member of the Gender and Inclusivity Task Force, under the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP)

19/12/2023

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At the Task Force launching event and the Workshop entitled “Building Momentum for Collective Plastic Action”, on December 15, 2023, VSF Director Tran Hong Diep shared several gender-related issues and the imperative for inclusivity within the plastics industry.

She also underscored VSF's contributions to ensure the mainstreaming of gender equality and inclusive development in NPAP intervention strategies. For example:

1. There is a lack of research, data, and evidence on the relationship between sex, gender, and cross-level factors on plastic usage and plastic waste generation to serve policy-making on waste management.

2. Women make up the majority of unofficial waste collectors, who are often low-paid, working in hazardous conditions, and having inadequate access to social and healthcare protection. They encounter numerous problems regarding safe housing, hygiene, labor safety, and social protection. In addition, many unofficial workers are facing sexual harassment and abuse at work.

3. There is a gender imbalance in waste management units, particularly in leadership and staff roles, where men outnumber women significantly. Women often work in less important, lower-paid jobs, mainly because of gender stereotypes that women are better suited to waste collection and treatment, rather than work related to recycling and management.

(Excerpt from Report on Gender Context Assessment of the Plastic Value Chain in Vietnam by NPAP in 2023)

VSF has been implementing long-term projects to increase youth awareness and practice of gender equality and reduction of plastic waste and plastic pollution, through trainings, communication campaigns, and sponsorships of small initiatives. With a network of thousands of young people across the country, VSF can coordinate and support NPAP's related activities.

VSF also has experienced experts in gender mainstreaming who are ready to support research, assessment, and capacity building activities of the Gender and Inclusivity Task Force. In addition, VSF can connect and mobilize the participation of businesses in addressing gender and inclusion issues within the plastic value chain.