The Government has also prioritised gender equality, the protection of mothers and children, the rights and interests of relevant individuals and organisations and the interests of families. 

 Louise Chamberlain, UNDP country director in Vietnam, speaking at the event

Deputy Minister of Justice Hoang The Lien explained Vietnam’s viewpoints during the process of drafting the revised Law on Marriage and Family at the second legal policy dialogue in Hanoi on November 25.

The event was co-organised by the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) within the framework of the project ‘Strengthening Access to Justice and Protection of Rights in Vietnam’, which is jointly implemented by Vietnam and the UNDP.

It allows Vietnam to learn from international experience in marriage and family in accordance with the country’s cultural, legal, social and economic conditions, and with international treaties to which Vietnam is a signatory, Lien noted.

Louise Chamberlain, UNDP country director in Vietnam, suggested clarifying the contents regarding gender and gender identification, reasoning that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people have the right marry and have children.

The draft law will amend and supplement the fundamental principles of marriage and family in Vietnam by defining prohibited behaviours, rights and obligations between parents and children and laws on pregnancy and divorce.

National Assembly deputies are scheduled to discuss the draft revised law on November 26 for submission to the legislature’s seventh session.

(Nhandan)