Raising awareness of gender equality and girls' rights in Vietnam

Gender equality is one of UNESCO’s two global priorities. In Vietnam, UNESCO has worked closely with the Ministry of Education and Training for more than a decade to implement initiatives to promote gender equality in and through education. One of the highlights is the “We Can” project implemented in provinces with many ethnic minority students, including Vinh Long, Cao Bang and Ninh Thuan .

Raising awareness of gender equality and girls' rights in Vietnam. Photo: Internet.

Responding to the global theme “Girls lead the future” is the theme of the media event organized by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in collaboration with the Department of Education and Training of Vinh Long province on October 12, at Loc Hoa Secondary School, Long Ho district, Vinh Long province. This is an activity to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), World Teachers’ Day (October 5), and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995-2025).

The event is an opportunity to honor the voices and contributions of teachers in the process of perfecting policies and a more inclusive educational environment for all learners, including girls, and to call on the community to take action to promote gender equality in Vietnam.

At the event, exhibition activities, interactive games, and poster creation contests provided opportunities for students to express their views and the role of girls and their friends in taking control of their future, their families, and society through interdisciplinary projects in fine arts, literature, and creative experiences.

Students also participated in the “Beijing+30 Bus Tour” organized by UN Women, to recognize Vietnam’s achievements in gender equality in 30 years of implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (a document ratified and actively implemented by 189 countries, including the Vietnamese Government ).

In particular, the event also included a live dialogue with influential female speakers in the fields of education, sports and science; thereby, inspiring students, especially female students, to have more lessons and advice to help them be more confident in pursuing their dreams and goals.

A special feature of this program is the live dialogue with influential female speakers in the fields of education, sports and science and students.

Inspirational talk for young people, especially girls. Photo: UN Women Vietnam.

Ms. Truong Thanh Nhuan, Director of the Department of Education and Training of Vinh Long province, shared about the achievements and challenges in promoting equal education for girls in the locality.

Also participating was Professor Dang Thi Phuong Thao - lecturer at the University of Natural Sciences - Ho Chi Minh City National University, the only female professor of biology in 2023, receiving a national scholarship from L'Oreal and UNESCO for the development of women in science.

Also participating in the program was athlete Nguyen Thi Anh Vien - a former swimmer and sports coach, who has achieved many outstanding achievements and is a model of determination and confidence.

The dialogue inspired students, especially female students, to connect with themselves, visualize their desired future, and gain many valuable lessons and advice on determination to overcome difficulties and challenges, helping them to be confident in pursuing their dreams and goals.

Ms. Caroline Nyamayemombe, UN Women Representative in Vietnam, said that the digital revolution is taking place rapidly in the world and Vietnam, combined with the increase of green jobs, is bringing countless opportunities.

At the same time, the leader of UN Women in Viet Nam emphasized the importance of STEM teaching and learning: “We need to equip all children, especially girls, with the skills they need to succeed. If girls are not equally involved in the digital and green economy, we risk leaving half of the population behind in the competitive world of work of the future.”

UNESCO Representative in Viet Nam Jonathan Wallace Bake shared: “Today’s event also aims to celebrate World Teachers’ Day on October 5 with the theme ‘Celebrating Teachers’ Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education’. UNESCO encourages teachers and education managers to raise their voices and seek answers to build a more engaging, equitable and inclusive teaching and learning environment for all for a sustainable future of Viet Nam.”

Through this theme, the Organizing Committee hopes to raise awareness of the importance of investing in girls’ education and empowering them to overcome challenges and actively participate in creating a more inclusive future. At the same time, the event also honors the voice and role of teachers, especially female teachers, in guiding and supporting girls’ comprehensive development.

Since 2011, the United Nations General Assembly has designated October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child to recognize the rights and challenges girls face around the world.

In 2024, the theme for International Day of the Girl is “Girls' vision of the future”.

This theme aims to enhance the responsibility, commitment, interest and participation of all levels, sectors, socio-political organizations, mass organizations and all classes of people with a vision for the future for girls and focus on implementing the goal of gender equality, eliminating gender discrimination, creating equal opportunities for men and women in socio-economic development and human resource development, moving towards real gender equality between men and women and establishing and strengthening cooperative and supportive relationships between men and women in all areas of social and family life./.

Yanjiang