In the lead-up to Vietnam’s 2026 National Assembly and People’s Council elections, women across four provinces are preparing to lead – with the backing of a community-driven project that’s shifting the face of local politics.
Why representation matters
When women are part of decision-making bodies, communities see stronger policies on healthcare, education, and social services – areas that impact everyday life. But in Vietnam, while gender equality has seen progress over the last decade, women remain underrepresented in political leadership.
A recent review of Vietnam’s National Strategy on Gender Equality found that none of the political leadership targets had been met. Women currently make up about 29% of elected officials at the local levels, with even lower representation in provinces like Bac Kan, Phu Yen, Hai Duong, and Haiphong.
Women in remote or ethnic minority communities face extra barriers – not just in being elected, but in being heard once they are. Without targeted support, many find themselves isolated in council chambers dominated by men, hesitant to speak up, and lacking the resources to influence decisions.
Community-led approach to change
The project “Promoting Gender Equality and Capacity Building for Women in Political Life” is flipping this script. Led by local Women’s Unions and supported by Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA, the project works directly with women who are already elected and those considering a run in 2026.
Through mentoring, public speaking workshops, and policy training, women are gaining the skills and networks needed to represent their communities more effectively. Importantly, the project also supports voter education and local communications to challenge persistent gender stereotypes.
“I used to be very anxious after being elected due to a lack of skills and gender bias. After joining the project, I became much more confident in conveying voters’ concerns to the authorities.”
— Ms. Nong Thi Chi, commune representative, Thai Nguyen province
“Since participating in the project, the quality of female deputies’ performance in our commune has clearly improved. We have made eight speeches, all of which received timely responses from the People’s Committee, building voter trust.”
— Ms. Nguyen Thi Tam, commune representative, Hai Phong city
These kinds of shifts aren’t just symbolic – they directly impact the lives of community members, as women deputies successfully advocated for local policies on education for girls and became a role model, encouraging more women to run for office in the next election.
Leading through change
The early 2026 National Assembly and People’s Council elections are happening in the context of major structural reform. The Vietnamese Government is merging provinces and integrating mass organisations like the Women’s Union into the Vietnam Fatherland Front. In newly merged areas like Thai Nguyen (formerly with Bac Kan) and Daklak (with Phu Yen), Women’s Unions have had to quickly adapt to new leadership, geographies, and organisational structures.
Despite the challenges, Women’s Union leaders have remained steadfast in their support for women’s political empowerment – building new relationships with Party Committees and working with local authorities to ensure women are not sidelined in the reform process. Their ability to navigate institutional change while continuing to drive gender equality outcomes is a testament to their resilience and long-standing commitment to grassroots democracy.
Linking political leadership with local impact
In the next phase of the project, Women’s Unions will continue working closely with elected women representatives and aspiring candidates in newly merged districts and communes. The focus will be on:
- Building political leadership skills
- Deepening knowledge of gender equality laws and policies
- Strengthening women’s voices in People’s Councils.
The project also aims to improve collaboration between Women’s Unions and local Party committees to ensure women’s priorities are reflected in social and economic planning. As Vietnam prepares for the 2026 elections, the project is helping to identify and support women candidates from a wide range of backgrounds – particularly those who may have been overlooked in the past.
Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA is currently supporting Women’s Union the project Promoting Gender Equality and Capacity building for women in politicial life which also receives support from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) and the Irish Aid.
