Alison Keys, First Secretary for culture and trade, said many Australian-funded projects have included gender equality issues such as empowering women’s voices, strengthening their economic empowerment, and ending violence against women and girls. 

Ms. Keys said the Australian government has committed to continue providing support for gender equality programs in Vietnam.

Khuat Thu Hong, Director of the Institute for Social Development Studies, said Vietnam has been facing challenges from gender inequality, including domestic violence and the tendency for gender imbalance, especially in rural areas.

Media agencies need to understand clearly about gender issues and then have an impartial view of gender equality, she said.

Participants discussed several topics including challenges emerging in Vietnam, basic mistakes when writing about gender issues, and integrating gender issues as part of Australia’s development projects in Vietnam.