Cambridge - Viet Nam Women Leadership Programme:

Empowerment of women in the public sector in the context of international economic integration

Despite the commitment of the Government and some real advances in the fields of education and employment, women are still under-represented in leadership roles in both the public and private sectors in Viet Nam. As Viet Nam has joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the country has entered a new phase of international economic integration, Vietnamese working women are facing new challenges in their efforts to strive for a successful career amidst lasting gender biased traditions and other social barriers.

Empowerment of Women in the Public Sector

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) are collaborating on a five year capacity development project entitled “Empowerment of Women in the Public Sector in the Context of International Economic Integration”. The Cambridge Overseas Trust, a foundation affiliated with the University of Cambridge in the UK, has agreed to provide over one million dollars (US) in support of this initiative to be used to provide scholarships for women working in the public sector to study graduate courses at the University of Cambridge.

What will the project do?

• Provide scholarships for women working in the public sector to undertake graduate level study at the University of Cambridge
• Provide opportunities for women to undertake practical policy research in collaboration with scholars from a recognised university or institution
• Commission a series of publications to identify obstacles and challenges faced by women working in the public sector
• Formulate a comprehensive package of policy recommendations to the Government to empower women working in various fields of the public sector
• Support the development of knowledge and alumni associations and other networks
• Support women working in the public sector to attend national and international academic conferences
• Host annual conferences in Viet Nam on various themes relating to gender equality and economic development

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)