Australia helps women in northwestern region improve living standards

Implemented until 2021, the AUD 33.7 million (US$24.9 million) program will empower local women to engage in agriculture and tourism markets and enhance their voice in economic decision-making.

The program will partner with a diverse range of actors, including the private and non-government sectors in agriculture and tourism, to improve the policy environment and stimulate inclusive and equitable growth in Viet Nam’s mountainous northwest.

It is expected to help 40,000 self-employed women to improve their incomes and create 4,000 jobs for women to drive economic growth in the provinces.

The programme will partner with a diverse range of actors, including private and non-government sectors in agriculture and tourism, to improve the environment and stimulate inclusive and equitable growth in the mountainous northwestern region of Viet Nam.

Deputy Chairman of the Son La Provincial People’s Committee and Co-Chair of the GREAT Program’s Steering Committee in Son La Lo Minh Hung said the province has been making major efforts in reducing poverty and improving gender equality and it greatly appreciates the support of the Australian Government along with the Vietnamese Government’s investment in initiatives on poverty reduction, gender equality improvements, and socioeconomic development in program districts and the province as a whole.

The event aims to develop and implement innovative market-oriented solutions to persistent poverty and economic marginalization among women in ethnic minority communities in the two provinces.

                                                                                                        By Vien Nhu