Speakingat a reception for the delegation of the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU),led by Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa, Bishop expressed her pleasure atthe initial results achieved in Australian-funded projects onagriculture and tackling gender-based violence in Vietnam.
During the event, which was attended by Vietnamese Ambassador toAustralia Luong Thanh Nghi and Australian Ambassador to Vietnam HughBorrowman, Bishop praised the ten-day visit of the VWU, which ended onMarch 17. She stated that it will kick start a special“Vietnam-Australia Relations Week” in Australia, with the highlight ofthe ongoing visit of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to the country.
Bishop also hailed the union’s idea to organise a women for peace anddevelopment forum in 2015, saying that the activity will help provewomen’s significant role in peace-keeping and socio-economic developmentof the world.
The Vietnamese chairwoman expressedthanks to the Australian government and all bodies and experts who haveactively supported Vietnamese women and the union’s activities. RecentVWU projects have included ones preventing family violence, improvingwomen’s awareness of laws and their rights and providing women withfinancial and technical assistance for economic development.
Hoa also highlighted the Vietnamese government’s efforts to ensuregender equity and improve women’s participation at all levels in thecountry.
During their visit, the VWU delegationworked with the Australian Human Rights Committee and FlindersUniversity in order to share experience and gain further knowledge aboutcampaigning for the rights of women.-VNA