Việt Nam pledges to promote Investing in Women Initiative

The Government of Việt Nam has implemented numerous concrete measures to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh said at a seminar in the Philippines yesterday.

The Government of Việt Nam has implemented numerous concrete measures to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh said at a seminar in the Philippines yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Xuân Vịnh

MANILA — The Government of Việt Nam has implemented numerous concrete measures to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh said at a seminar in the Philippines yesterday.

The seminar on the Investing in Women Initiative, part of the activities of the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM 50), was chaired by Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, and attended by Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and representatives of female entrepreneurs from Australia and other ASEAN nations.

Minh praised the pioneering role of the Government of Australia in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in the region.

Support for the participation and enhancement of women’s role at micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) is an effective way to give more power to women in socio-economic development while boosting the sustainable growth and development of MSMEs, contributing to the development of prosperity, Minh said.

The Investing in Women programme is an initiative of the Australian government, worth A$46 million. It aims to empower women in socio-economic activities in the Asia-Pacific region. It provides financial assistance for MSMEs, develops legal frameworks and establishes female entrepreneurs’ alliances, creating favourable conditions for job opportunities. It also aims to create more education opportunities for girls. — VNS