Network meeting of commune women deputies in the Bac Kan Province, Vietnam.
Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA is proud to support women’s leadership in Vietnam through the GENPOLID project, which works to increase women’s participation in political decision-making. This project has made significant strides in empowering women at the commune, district, and provincial levels across three provinces and one city: Haiduong, Bac Kan, Phu Yen and Haiphong.
Through the partnership with local Women’s Unions and the 8th March Center in Hai Duong, as well as collaboration with People’s Councils, the project has reached nearly 1,900 beneficiaries. Over 57 activities were implemented, including club meetings, networking events, and skills training workshops, to enhance the leadership abilities of female representatives in People’s Councils. These initiatives helped strengthen their skills in planning, monitoring, and advocacy, giving them the confidence to better represent their communities.
Women deputies’ network meeting on the Vietnam Women’s Day, October 2024.
For many of the women involved, these activities were life-changing. One woman deputy from Bac Kan province shared:
“The skills provided are very practical and relatable. As many of us are new to being People’s Council members, these skills are truly helpful.” Another woman from Hai Phong added, “The approach used in these sessions made me feel excited, proactive, and comfortable sharing.”
The project also tackled important gender equality issues, providing a platform for women deputies to openly discuss challenges they face, such as the difficulties in raising concerns or advocating for women’s needs in male-dominated political spaces. “In reality, there is no true equality, as I feel that women’s voices are not being given due attention,” said one of the participants.
Ms. Ma Thi Nam, deputy from Bac Kan, Vietnam.
Through the hard work of the women involved, the clubs have far exceeded their target participation, and the benefits are already visible in their communities. One notable example is Ms. Ma Thi Nam, a deputy from Bac Kan, who successfully mobilised her community to build bridges and playgrounds, improving local infrastructure and creating safer spaces for children.
“Through this (the project), I have gained a deep understanding of the role of an elected representative. I always strive to bring the best living conditions to the people,” she said.
As the project continues to grow, it’s clear that supporting women in leadership roles is not just about increasing their political presence—it’s about creating lasting, positive change for their communities.
Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA is currently supporting the “Promoting Gender Equality in Political Decision-Making in Vietnam” project which also receives support from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) and Irish Aid.
