Vietnam pledges to promote Investing in Women Initiative
Manila (VNA) – The Government of
Vietnam has attached importance to and implemented numerous concrete measures
to promote gender equality and women empowerment, Foreign Minister Pham Binh
Minh said at a seminar in the Philippines on August 6.
The seminar on 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 welcomed and highly valued the pioneering
role of the Government of Australia in promoting gender equality and women
empowerment in the region.
Support for the participation and enhancement of
women role at micro-, small- & 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 of nations, Minh affirmed.
The Investing in Women programme is
an initiative of the Australian government, worth 46 million
AUD. It aims to empower women in socio-economic activities in Asian – Pacific
nations.
The programme provides financial assistance for
MSMEs, develops legal framework, and establish female entrepreneur’s alliance,
thus creating a favourable condition, job opportunities, and enhancing the role
and participation of women in socio-economic development.
It also aims to create more education opportunities
for girls.-VNA