Australia provides $4.2 million to promote women's rights

On February 19, the Australian Foreign Ministry's Representative Office in Vietnam announced an initiative to support capacity building for Vietnamese women, in which Australia committed to providing a support package worth a total of 4.2 million AUD for two cooperation projects through the Vietnam Women's Union to promote the rights of women and girls.

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh at the reception for Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on February 18. Photo: VGP

Accordingly, $2.1 million will be allocated for a new collaborative research project in agriculture, implemented through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), which will significantly improve the lives of women and help increase household incomes by connecting farmers and traders with more potential markets in urban areas.

Women in Vietnam play a vital role in agriculture. The ACIAR collaboration will help scientists from both countries, working with the Vietnam Women’s Union, improve the profitability and sustainability of household vegetable farming in the highlands of northwestern Vietnam. More than 2,000 ethnic minority women and poor smallholder farmers will benefit from increased income from vegetable production of about $3.4 million per year.

Domestic violence remains a serious problem in Vietnam. Gender-based violence hinders women from achieving their personal and economic potential. The Australian Government has committed $2.1 million to combat gender-based violence through the Australian Government Partnership for Development (GPFD), a funding program that brings together Australian and international public sector organisations.

The support package was announced as Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop visited Vietnam from February 18-19.

According to phunuonline