The Embassy of Sweden and the Plan International Vietnam organised a programme in Hanoi on October 3 to celebrate the International Day of the Girl (October 11).

Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Ann Mawe (R) and the female student of the Hanoi National University of Education

A 20-year-old female student of the Hanoi National University of Education was able to experience one working day of Swedish Ambassador and listen to her life stories.

#GirlsTakeover is a campaign launched globally by the Plan International, which encourages girls to step into the shoes of country leaders to call on their governments to remove the barriers that deny millions of their rights.

In Vietnam, about 520 young girls have participated in the campaign since 2016.

At a discussion with reporters, Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Ann Mawe pointed out that gender inequality remains a thorny issue as in many places of the world, women’s presence and rights to access resources have been limited.

She noted that in Vietnam, women and girls have their voice heard better and better in many issues of the country.

Sweden is among the first countries putting forward external relations policies which support women’s rights to promote gender equality, the ambassador added. The rate of women leadership in the Swedish Government stands at over 50 percent, and 46 percent in the country’s parliament.

The same day, the diplomat and the Vietnamese student paid a visit to the Van Noi High School in Hanoi’s Dong Anh district. They attended a discussion of a club on female leadership, which is part of a project of Plan International to create a safe environment for women and young girls at public places.

Since 2012, October 11 has been taken as the International Day of the Girl. The day aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges they face, while promoting girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.

T.H.