HCM CITY (VNS)-- The Australian Government has launched its Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Strategy, reaffirming that Australia will continue to be an active part of the global fight for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

“Promoting gender equality is smart economics, and the right thing to do – we cannot transform our world unless the place of women within it is transformed,” said Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Hon Julie Bishop MP, in her statement to launch the Strategy.

In Việt Nam, Australia has been promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in a range of ways, including promoting women’s economic empowerment, supporting women to take on leadership roles, improving their ability to earn a good income, to tackling inequalities in the workplace and confronting gender-based violence.

Australia’s gender focus in Việt Nam over the next five years in particular will be on economic empowerment: for women from low income and ethnic minority communities in northern areas, as well as for female entrepreneurs and those who need and deserve a more level playing field to develop their businesses.

“With more than $10 million already invested in dedicated gender-related programming here in Việt Nam over the past few years, Australia is one of the largest donors to advancing gender equality and women’s leadership here in Việt Nam, and our contribution will continue to grow”, said Australian Ambassador to Việt Nam, Hugh Borrowman.

Australia is engaged in a range of activities including working with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to provide training to female political candidates to enhance their opportunities in the 2016-2020 elections; supporting the Việt Nam Women’s Union in providing services for women and children at risk of domestic violence and trafficking; and supporting women farmers to improve the profitability of their agricultural activities.

“We will continue to integrate gender into every Australian development assistance program and we will be stepping up Australia’s role in policy advice and leadership for the advancement of Vietnamese women and gender equality here”, Hugh Borrowman added. — VNS.