in brief: australian government puts funds towards vietnamese women’s empowerment

The Federal government will put $4.2 million into two programs aimed at helping empower the women of Vietnam.

Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop announced during her visit of the country that the money will be distributed equally between Vietnamese Women’s Union projects to end gender-based violence and for agricultural development.

The funds for ending gender-based violence are vital, with national statistics showing one in three ever-married* Vietnamese women aged 15-49 had experienced physical abuse from their partner.

A further 10 per cent of the age group studied had experienced rape and sexual abuse and it is estimated about 9 per cent of married Vietnamese women are experiencing ongoing domestic violence.

South Australia’s Flinders University will assist the Women’s Union in producing services to combat domestic violence, including counselling and refuges for women who have already suffered.

The agricultural grant has been chosen due to Vietnamese women playing an important role in the nation’s primary industries.

The Australian Centre for Agricultural Research will work with the Women’s Union to improve the profitability and sustainability of their farming trade by connecting them with better markets.

‘More than 2,000 women from ethnic minority and poor, smallholder farming families will benefit in Lao Cai province alone, allowing them to increase vegetable production by around $3.4 million annually,’ Ms Bishop said.

*Term used in the study to denote women who have ever been married, regardless of separation.