Gender equality is a shared cornerstone of development for both Australia and Vietnam, and we are honoured to support the Government of Vietnam in in revising its Gender Equality Law through collaborative capacity-building initiatives.
As part of the Mekong Australia Partnership, the Vietnam Australia Centre launched the Australia Awards Short Course: Knowledge Exchange – Gender Equality Law on February 26 for senior Vietnamese policy and decision makers who are influential in gender equality law amendment. It includes several training workshops and in-depth discussions with Australian counterparts to exchange knowledge and build skills on gender equality.
This study mission is among many education and knowledge transfer activities through which Australia supports Vietnam achieve its stated development goals and build enduring relationships that advance mutual interests.
Speaking at the pre-course in Hanoi, Mr Le Khanh Luong, Director General of the Department of Gender Equality, Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of Vietnam highly appreciated the opportunity for Vietnamese officials to learn from relevant regional and international experience including Australia’s national strategy to achieve gender equality. He said, “Knowledge exchange in the course will be an efficient support for the finalisation of Vietnam’s law and policies, aligning with the country’s socio-economic development goals.”
Mr Le Khanh Luong, Director General of the Department of Gender Equality, Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of Vietnam, delivers opening remarks.
Highlighting Australia-Vietnam cooperation in achieving the shared commitment to gender equality, Ms Cherie Russell – Development Counsellor, Australian Embassy in Vietnam said, “Vietnam’s revision of the gender equality law is a unique opportunity to strengthen Vietnam’s capacity to analyse the social and economic impacts of gender inclusive laws and policies. Australia is working with Vietnam through our capacity building partnership to focus officials’ capability on the implementation of inclusive policies that contribute to Vietnam’s development priorities and international obligations.”
Ms Cherie Russell – Development Counsellor, Australian Embassy in Vietnam discusses bilateral cooperation in gender equality in her opening remarks.
Through workshops in Vietnam and a core module in Australia, participants will be able to learn and apply international experiences in strengthening the implementation of gender equality law in Vietnam, including the roles and responsibilities of the leaders, human resources for gender equality work at all levels, and the state management mechanism for implementing gender equality provisions in law.
Participants will share knowledge and increase understanding and consensus among government leaders on the importance and urgency of the gender equality law amendment and its relevance to national socio-economic objectives and human capital development.
To achieve these outcomes, senior Vietnamese officials will have the opportunity to interact with Australian counterparts involved in the formulation of gender equality and anti-discrimination laws. Australia is the Government of Vietnam’s preferred study destination on account of its historic and recently renewed commitment to gender equality domestically. Australia’s legislative framework and implementation experience are highly relevant to the Vietnam context.
The study mission is anticipated to enhance the quality, content, and timely passage of Vietnam’s Gender Equality Law, consistent with the objectives of Vietnam’s own National Gender Equality Strategy 2021-2030.
The Government of Vietnam is revising its Gender Equality Law after 15 years of implementation. The law revision process will ensure adherence to international obligations such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) to which Australia and Vietnam are both signatories. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is supporting this process with funding of $1m from 2022 to 2025 through UN Women Vietnam.
