Australia and Vietnam unify for gender equality in development initiatives
Today in Hanoi, the Australian Government, through its Aus4Vietnam investment - Aus4Skills - launched an Australia Awards Short Course in Project Implementation to Optimise Gender Outcomes. This short course will enable mid-level managers, both men and women, from targeted partner organisations and other key stakeholders to promote gender equality initiatives in their programs.
“When implemented by participants, the skills and techniques being shared in this course will enhance Vietnam’s progress towards gender equality and contribute to the socio-economic benefits that increased engagement by women in the economy can bring” said Madame Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, President of Vietnam Women’s Union, as she met with course participants.
Gender equality is a priority for both Australia and Vietnam. Through the course launched today, Australia supports Vietnam in achieving the objectives of its National Strategy on Gender Equality 2011-2020. The Strategy’s focus on women’s leadership, economic power, and safety are ideals that Australia shares.
Australia’s support to Vietnam in gender equality is delivered in two main ways. Firstly, in 2016, the Australian Embassy launched its own Gender Equality Strategy for Vietnam. This ambitious Whole-of-Government approach mandates that every Australian government agency in Vietnam promotes and reports on its gender equality work within Vietnam. Secondly, Australia is committed to ensuring that women substantively benefit from all Aus4Vietnam aid investments, irrespective of their sector.
“The Government of Australia sees working towards gender equality and women’s empowerment as a critical part of our ongoing partnership with Vietnam. The social and economic benefits of women realising their full potential are considerable and more inclusive economic growth is good for everyone. This is particularly the case for Vietnam – a regional leader in women’s workforce participation and educational attainment” said HE Mr Craig Chittick, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam.
After the six-day pre-core workshop in Vietnam, participants will visit Australia for two weeks of intensive training. They will learn about contemporary methods and techniques for effectively integrating gender equality considerations throughout the program management cycle, and reflect upon the gendered systems in which they live and work. They will implement their new knowledge and experience about integrating gender equality into their programs upon their return.
Australia’s Aus4Vietnam aid investment, of which this course is part, includes six different themes – Aus4Equality, Aus4Innovation, Aus4Reform, Aus4Skills, Aus4Transport and Aus4Water.