Women's Leadership Journey: Connecting Knowledge, Promoting Equality and Inclusion

The 7th Women in Leadership Journey 2025 brings together 17 female leaders from Party, Government agencies and organizations in Vietnam. This is an important initiative to realize Pillar 3 - "Building knowledge and connecting people", within the framework of the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

17 students of the 7th “Journey to Support Women in Leadership” in 2025 received certificates of course completion. (Photo: CTCC)

The program demonstrates the Australian Government's strong commitment to working with Vietnam to build a fair, inclusive and sustainable society – in line with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's (DFAT) International Gender Equality Strategy and the Vietnam Gender Equality Strategy 2022–2027.

Aiming for an environment where everyone has the opportunity to live, work and develop with respect and dignity, the program not only fosters leadership skills, but also creates a space for connection, sharing experiences, and spreading inspiration to lead change.

In the 10 years of implementing the National Plan on Gender Equality, Vietnam has achieved many remarkable progresses: the rate of female participation in the National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels has been maintained at a high level in the region; the gender gap in education and health has been narrowed; and opportunities for access to jobs and participation in leadership have been expanded.

In the past two years alone, Vietnam has risen 11 places, ranking 72nd out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index, thanks to promoting policies, laws and initiatives such as “Digital Literacy for All”, “AI Literacy for All”, and building a safe and inclusive digital environment. Vietnam continues to commit to putting gender equality at the heart of all technological and legal structures, enhancing international cooperation and empowering women in all fields, especially in the digital transformation period.

The 7th Women in Leadership Journey 2025 is organized by the Vietnam-Australia Centre (VAC) in collaboration with Curtin University and the Center for Gender and Women's Rights Research (GWR) of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics .

With a nine-month duration, the program is delivered by more than 175 speakers, staff, and mentors from 59 Australian and Vietnamese government organizations, government agencies, businesses, non-profit organizations, and Curtin University centers and facilities. This intensive academic program helps students enhance their capacity, shape their personal and professional development journey, and promote gender equality, diversity, and inclusion at the organizational, national, and global levels.

Ms. Renée Deschamps, Deputy Ambassador of Australia to Vietnam, spoke at the ceremony to award certificates of course completion. (Photo: CTCC)

Within the framework of the program, the trainees participated in working and exchanging with government agencies, educational institutions, social organizations, as well as field surveys at a number of typical historical-cultural relics in Australia and Vietnam. A series of in-depth seminars and discussions on gender equality and social inclusion topics contributed to strengthening the knowledge base, analytical skills and policy application. In addition, field trips to organizations applying practices and models to support women, people with disabilities and vulnerable groups provided rich practical experiences.

In particular, the study journey in four major cities of Australia – Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Perth – has created conditions for students to access policy practices, support models and inclusive working environments, thereby drawing appropriate lessons for the context of Vietnam.

The delegation of students from the 7th Supporting Women in Leadership Journey 2025 during their visit and work at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. (Photo: CTCC)

At the end of their study journey in Australia, each student implemented a project applying the knowledge and skills accumulated from the short course, aiming to create positive changes in the workplace as well as the community in the following areas:

- Enhance economic empowerment and entrepreneurship for women.

- Developing female leadership capacity and promoting mental health in the workplace.

- Mainstream gender in policy, review policy, and increase women's presence in leadership.

- Support and promote the inclusion of people with disabilities.

- Promote communication to raise awareness of gender equality and inclusion.

On 25 September, students presented their projects at the Final Workshop attended by experts from Australia and Vietnam, providing practical perspectives and practical recommendations.

On September 26, 17 trainees of the 7th “Journey to Support Women in Leadership” in 2025 received their course completion certificates in the presence of the Australian Embassy, ​​representatives of Party and Government agencies, departments, branches and training experts, marking an important milestone in the journey of developing leadership capacity and commitment to spreading gender equality.

Students of the topic “Support and integration of the disabled” presented their projects at the final workshop. (Photo: CTCC)

The Vietnam-Australia Centre is a dynamic hub for training, research and knowledge sharing between Vietnam and Australia, bringing together experts from both countries to support Vietnamese leaders in addressing domestic, regional and global challenges.

Curtin University – the academic partner delivering the program – is one of the world’s leading universities for teaching and research, ranked in the top 1% of universities globally according to the 2023 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).

Over 7 courses since 2017, the Women in Leadership Journey has connected 144 women leaders from various fields in the public sector and related organizations, forming a dynamic and influential network of women leaders. The program is a vivid demonstration of the persistent cooperation efforts between Vietnam and Australia in promoting gender equality, developing women's leadership capacity, and protecting the rights of women and vulnerable groups.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/hanh-trinh-lanh-dao-nu-ket-noi-tri-thuc-thuc-day-binh-dang-va-hoa-nhap-post910803.html