Hanoi, 4 December 2025 – Social norms shape economic outcomes for women – and there’s an opportunity for local actors to highlight how norms in Vietnam are already changing toward equality to accelerate progress. That was the message from “A Dialogue on Gender Norms and Women’s Economic Empowerment,” an event hosted by the Australian Embassy in Vietnam on 4 December.
The event brought together representatives from government, development sector, the private sector, and community changemakers to explore new evidence and locally led strategies to drive meaningful change. HE Ms. Gillian Bird PSM, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, opened the dialogue by emphasising gender equality as a shared commitment of Australia and Vietnam and a central pillar in the Australia-Vietnam relationship. “Women’s economic equality is both a social goal and a significant driver of prosperity. Australia is proud to work with partners in Vietnam who are shifting mindsets and challenging stereotypes so that Vietnam can make the most of all its talent. Gender equality is not just the right thing to do – it’s the smart thing to do”, Ambassador Bird said.
The event marked the first official visit to Vietnam by Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality, HE Ms. Michelle O’Byrne. Offering keynote remarks at the event, Ms. O’Byrne reaffirmed the role of gender equality as the centre of Australia’s foreign policy and development efforts in Vietnam.
“Globally, progress toward gender equality is too slow. At the current rate, achieving gender parity will take 123 years. Yet we know that gender equality will unlock tremendous economic potential – some projections go as high as an additional US $342 trillion, cumulatively, by 2050.
Vietnam and Australia share a common goal: a future where gender equality is not aspirational but real. Today’s dialogue is about partnership – combining evidence, advocacy, and locally led innovation to accelerate change”, Ms. O’Byrne said.
The event included a panel discussion featuring Vietnamese changemakers, including Mr. Le Quang Binh (ECUE) and Ms. Mai Quynh Anh (TUVA Communication). With support from the Australian Government through Investing in Women (IW), ECUE and TUVA lead unique digital campaigns that showcase positive examples of gender equality in practice, particularly amongst young urban Vietnamese. ECUE and TUVA also lead Communities of Practice for gender equality, through which individuals learn, share, and amplify more positive examples of gender equality across personal and professional networks.
The event also featured a Gender Equality Fair, which offered interactive displays and knowledge exchange on ECUE and TUVA Communication’s work.
The fair showed how Australia and Vietnam are partnering to tackle social norms as structural barriers to women’s economic equality. Together, these efforts are creating ripple effects – shifting mindsets, influencing workplace policies, and inspiring a new generation who champion equality.
For further media inquiries, please contact: Investing in Women communications section, communications@iwa.asia.
About Investing in Women: Investing in Women, an initiative of the Australian Government, works to advance women’s economic equality and inclusive growth in Southeast Asia. By advancing women’s economic equality, IW works to build the foundation for more inclusive, resilient, and gender-equal societies and economies. For more information about IW, visit: https://investinginwomen.asia/
Australian Ambassador to Vietnam provides opening remarks
Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality provides keynote remarks
Panel discussion with Ms Mai Quynh Anh and Mr Le Quang Binh, moderated by Ms Hannah Birdsey, Investing in Women’s CEO
Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality visits the Gender Equality Fair
All participants show commitment to accelerate gender equality