Tourism strategy to promote gender equality

 Prejudice against female workers in the hospitality industry aroused public concern at a workshop in Ho Chi Minh City o­n March 15 under the co-sponsorship of the municipal University of Law and the Rey Juan Carlos University of Spain.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen and Nguyen Thi Kieu Oanh from the HCM City University of Law shared the view that atop their domestic workloads and time pressure, public prejudice experienced by women in services seen as ‘sensitive’--such as restaurant and hotel staff and tourist guides—constitutes a major obstacle to women in the hospitality industry.

Women have limited access to training and are at greater risk of being dismissed than their male colleagues, they said.

Workshop participants asked lawmakers to review regulations o­n gender to provide concrete tools and increase preferential policies for women-intensive businesses.

They also proposed that relevant agencies intensify education o­n gender and campaign for gender equality.

“Socio-political organisations should promote gender equality right in their workplace and eliminate prejudice against women working in ‘sensitive’ services,” many said.

The hospitality industry provides over 1 million new jobs every year and women make up more than 42 percent of the sector’s workforce.

The sector also contributes to some 10 percent of the gross domestic product.