Canada has many projects supporting gender equality in Vietnam.

Sustainable gender equality is a need for every country. The status of women needs to be improved, their rights must be respected and their contributions must be recognized.

Vietnam ensures social security, empowers and creates opportunities for women and girls to achieve gender equality and eliminate violence against women and girls. Photo: Internet

The United Nations Convention has clearly stated that access to justice is not only a fundamental right but also a prerequisite for the protection and promotion of all civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights... The Convention recognizes the right of women to participate equally in the sustainable development of society.

Canada is a leader in promoting and protecting women’s rights. Canada is proud to be involved in helping Southeast Asian countries advance gender equality under the law.

Canada is one of the leading countries in promoting and protecting women's rights, significantly enhancing its leadership role on gender equality. Photo Internet

The Government of Canada has a Canadian-supported project that will serve the purpose of improving gender equality before the law in eight Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Timor Leste, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Women in these countries will be supported with opportunities and conditions to access the judicial and law enforcement mechanisms, ensuring fairness and equality, without discrimination .

In an announcement on December 7, 2020, Ms. Karina Gould - Canada's Minister of International Development - said that the country will support CAD 8.5 million (about USD 6.6 million) over 5 years.

Accordingly, over five years, starting in 2020, Canada will provide CAD 8.5 million to the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) to advance women's rights, prevent violence and promote social cohesion in Southeast Asia.

Minister Karina Gould made this announcement at the International Conference "Enhancing the Role of Women in Building and Consolidating Peace : From Commitment to Results" hosted by Vietnam and the United Nations in an online format from December 7-9.

Canada's financial commitment will help address gender equality and discrimination against women and girls in ASEAN member countries and build sustainable peace and security in Southeast Asia...

“Women’s voices and leadership make a difference and bring about sustainable change that benefits everyone in the community,” said Karina Gould. “With the full participation of women, we can achieve sustainable peace and security in Southeast Asia.”

The international conference brought together senior UN officials, representatives of UN member states, international and regional organizations, international financial institutions, women’s organizations, and other stakeholders. Delegates at the conference studied and reviewed current shortcomings and challenges, and made commitments to promote action for sustainable peace beyond 2020.

In 2020, the Embassy of Canada in Vietnam will fund 3.8 billion VND for 7 projects aiming to improve the quality of life of disadvantaged groups, promote gender equality and women's rights. The 7 projects mentioned above will be implemented in 2011 in Dien Bien, Lao Cai, Dak Lak, Phu Tho and Hanoi.

Four of the seven projects aim to promote the implementation of women's rights with contents such as preventing domestic violence, providing legal aid to lesbians, preventing trafficking of women and children, promoting gender equality and women's participation in state governance. One project aims to provide comprehensive care for poor ethnic minority women infected with HIV/AIDS. The remaining two projects aim to improve the quality of primary health care services and agricultural extension. In particular, the Center for Psychological Crisis Prevention, a non-governmental organization, will receive a commitment of more than VND156 million to implement a legal aid program for lesbians through the VOV Giao thong channel of the Voice of Vietnam./.

Quynh Lien