Women Empowerment

FNF Vietnam and CWD: Partnering for Women Empowerment

According to the World Economic Forum, Vietnam ranked 72nd out of 146 countries in the 2024 Global Gender Gap Index. Vietnam has also been recognized as one of the fastest nations in Southeast Asia to close the gender gap over the past 30 years. Despite improvements in areas such as economy, labor, and employment, gender equality in Vietnam still faces significant challenges rooted in cultural and traditional biases.

In 2024, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) Vietnam and the Center for Women and Development (CWD) launched the project "Promoting Gender Equality, Enhancing Women's Voices and Status in the Community". The project aims to raise awareness of gender equality among the younger generation and affirm the role and voice of women in society.

Key Event: “She Leads Her Life”

A highlight of the project was the event "She Leads Her Life," held on October 17 in Hanoi, with over 200 female students attendance from different academies and universities. The event featured inspiring stories from guests including documentary filmmaker Hà Lệ Diễm, pilot Nguyễn Mai Tuyết Dung, entrepreneur Bùi Thị Kim Ngân, and Dr. Phan Thị Lan. Through their personal journeys, the event underscored the importance of gender equality in all aspects of life.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Vanessa Steinmetz, Head of FNF Vietnam, emphasized: "Gender stereotypes are not just a concern for Vietnam but a global issue. Empowering women will remain a key focus of FNF’s strategy in the years to come."

Skills Enhancement Training Programs

In addition to the "She Leads Her Life" event, which aimed to raise awareness among the younger generation, the collaborative project between FNF Vietnam and the Center for Women and Development (CWD) also featured two training programs designed to build the capacity of women and networks of organisations advocating for women’s rights.

The first training program, titled "Building and Developing Podcasts on Digital Platforms", took place on October 8-9, 2024, in Hanoi. It focused on enhancing communication skills for organizations supporting women’s rights. The course addressed the growing need for podcasting skills, a vital communication tool that enables individuals and organizations to connect with and engage their audiences more effectively. It also strengthened the communication capacities of networks such as the Women’s Newspaper, Women’s Museum, the Social Work Department of the Vietnam Women’s Union, the Center for Women and Development, and CSAGA.

Ms. Vu Quynh Duong, Project Manager at FNF Vietnam, emphasised during the training: "Empowering women is a strategic priority for us in the coming years. Women’s decisions not only influence their families and communities but also play a vital role in driving Vietnam's sustainable growth."

The second training program under the project, titled "Community Engagement in Digital Platforms", was held on November 16-17, 2024, in Hanoi. The program focused on equipping women who were former members of the Peace House Shelter Vietnam with skills to build and grow communities on social media platforms. Participants also learned how to effectively connect members with shared goals, enhance interaction and communication, and support one another in addressing challenges in work and life.

The training contributed to strengthening the support network for Peace House Shelter, a model run by the Center for Women and Development. The shelter provides essential counseling and assistance to women who are victims of gender-based violence and human trafficking in Vietnam.

The project "Promoting Gender Equality, Enhancing Women's Voices and Status in the Community," a collaboration between FNF Vietnam and its partners, has played a significant role in raising awareness, building skills, and enhancing the status of women in society. It has been an important step toward promoting gender equality in Vietnam. The project plans to continue its efforts in the coming years to support lasting change.