Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s education sector has been empowered to ensure gender equality thanks to an initiative jointly launched by the Ministry of Education and Training and UNESCO, it was noted at a press briefing in Hanoi, on March 31.
A conference was held to review the outcomes of the initiative: “Gender Equality and Girls’ Education in Vietnam: Empowering girls and women towards a more equal society”, and map out future activities for the project.
Addressing the event, Sun Lei from the UNESCO Office in Vietnam described gender equality as an important factor to sustainable development and a foundation for an integrated and peaceful society.
Ensuring equal access to quality education between girls and boys is an important step to guarantee gender equality and fulfill national development targets and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, she said.
Sun Lei also highlighted the role played by the media in directing public opinion about gender and creating an optimal climate for girls and women to exercise their rights to education.
Tran Thi Phuong Nhung, UNESCO Gender Programme Manager, presented an action programme on gender equality for the education sector during the 2016-2020 period as well as the initiative’s major activities.
Ngo Minh Hien, head of the International Cooperation Department under the Voice of Vietnam, stressed the need to raise public awareness of gender and increase the role of journalists in carrying the message.
Launched in August 2015, the initiative aims to provide technical assistance to ensure gender equality in curriculum and textbook reforms, train education managers and policymakers, and design new teaching and learning materials.
It also supports coordination between parents and the community to help schools create an environment for students to practise what they have learned.-VNA
