The “Water is Life” project, funded by the Government of Japan and led by UN Women in collaboration with the Women’s Unions of Ca Mau and Ninh Thuan, is a year-long project running from 2024 to 2025. By providing water storage tanks, filtration systems, efficient water-saving equipment, and targeted communication programs, this project aims to enhance women’s sustainable access to clean water, improve their livelihoods, and contribute to the prevention of gender-based violence in these provinces.“Women carry the primary responsibility for water collection and caregiving in their households, making them the first and hardest hit by water scarcity,” said Ms. Caroline Nyamayemombe, UN Women Representative in Viet Nam. “The ‘Water is Life’ project not only eases these burdens by securing vital water supplies but also empowers women in the frontline of building community resilience against climate impacts.” Due to water scarcity, women often spend an additional two to three hours each day collecting water, which affects their health, limits work opportunities, and increases their exposure to gender-based violence when traveling far from home. Additionally, a lack of clean water contributes to the spread of infectious diseases, especially impacting children, pregnant women and the elderly, and thereby increasing caregiving responsibilities.As part of this project, UN Women and the Government of Japan are providing water tanks to households and filtration systems to schools and health centers to improve sanitation for children and local residents. Furthermore, in alignment with the provinces’ development plans for water provision, this project is establishing linkages with private sector investors in water-saving technologies, with a commitment to empowering women, as the provinces continues to pursue long term solutions of this climate-induced issue. With the Government of Japan’s support, it is estimated that 7,200 people, especially vulnerable women, will benefit from these efforts.“We hope that this project will improve access to clean water for women and children living in Ca Mau, and that this will lead to the revitalization of agriculture and other industries, as well as securing livelihoods for women in vulnerable positions”, said Mr. Ito Naoki, the Ambassador of Japan to Viet Nam. NFrom November 5 through the end of December 2024, more than 420 women in Khanh Binh Tay Commune, Tran Van Thoi District, Ca Mau, will receive water storage tanks to help reduce time spent on water collection, lighten caregiving burdens, and protect family health. Additionally, 200 women in need of improved agricultural irrigation will receive financial support for water-saving irrigation equipment, following the declaration of a Level 2 drought emergency in Ca Mau. Facing severe drought, significant saltwater intrusion, and a heightened risk of wildfires, Ca Mau and Ninh Thuan are among Viet Nam’s most climate-vulnerable regions. Prolonged droughts are damaging agriculture and impacting the health and livelihoods of residents, particularly women and children responsible for household water supplies. In Ca Mau, saltwater intrusion in 2020 affected over 29,644 hectares of farmland, drastically reducing rice and vegetable yields and costing an estimated VND 107 billion. Rising water scarcity has forced over 20,000 households to buy water at high prices, affecting their ability to afford other essentials.In Ninh Thuan—the driest province in Viet Nam—prolonged droughts led to over 7,873 hectares of farmland being abandoned between 2019-2020. Here, the shortage of fresh water has placed 72,000 people at risk of food insecurity, while more than 12,000 households, encompassing nearly 50,000 people, lack access to drinking water. With surface and groundwater sources drying up, around 110,000 livestock have suffered malnutrition or died from lack of water and food.

  The launching ceremony at the Center for Women and Development in Ha Noi welcomed leaders from the Viet Nam Women’s Union, UN Women, and the Viet Nam Journalists Association, alongside senior representatives from the Central Propaganda Department, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Information and Communications. Nearly 50 journalists and reporters from leading media outlets across the country attended. This award comes at a pivotal time when Viet Nam is steadfastly advancing its commitments to gender equality on the international stage. The National Press Award for Gender Equality seeks to honor journalists who are not only reporting the news but actively shaping a society that values and respects women and men equally. The Award will recognize exemplary contributions that promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, and work towards eradicating violence against women and children in Viet Nam.“Journalists are our change-makers, shaping public opinion and driving social progress,” said Caroline Nyamayemombe, Country Representative of UN Women in Viet Nam. “This award is about celebrating their power to inspire a future where gender equality is a reality for all.” Key Themes to Drive ProgressThe 2024 Award will shine a spotlight on three critical themes for gender equality in Viet Nam:Preventing Gender-Based Violence: Building a safer society by tackling violence against women and girls.Promoting Gender Equality in Digital Transformation: Ensuring inclusivity and equal opportunities as Viet Nam’s digital economy rapidly expands.Empowering Women in Economic Development: Recognizing women’s vital role in a dynamic, evolving economy.These themes reflect both the challenges and opportunities in Viet Nam’s journey towards gender equality, especially as the nation marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action and the 10th anniversary of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Award Categories and TimelineThe Award welcomes entries across all media forms – print, online, radio, and television – for works published between January 1, 2022, and November 20, 2024. With a total prize exceeding VND 200 million, the award will honor outstanding works across Categories A, B, C, and special commendations, celebrating the dedication and skill of 26 individuals and teams.Organizers anticipate over 300 high-quality submissions, especially those highlighting Viet Nam's progress in gender equality and women’s empowerment. Through this initiative, the Viet Nam Women’s Union and UN Women aim to amplify messages that promote equality, foster positive public perceptions, and inspire actions for a gender-equal society.Submission DetailsEntries are open from November 1, 2024, to November 20, 2024. Information about the Award and submission guidelines will be widely available through the Viet Nam Women’s Union, UN Women, and national media outlets. 

Ha Noi, 18/10/2024 - The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the United Nations in Viet Nam, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Viet Nam jointly organized the commemoration of the Word Food Day 2024. On this occasion, MARD also launched the Plan for International Cooperation Promotion in Agriculture and Rural Development to 2030 and vision to 2050; signed the Partnership Agreement for Transparent, Responsible and Sustainable Food Systems Transformation in Viet Nam (FST-Partnership); and kicked off the Joint Programme of United Nations on “Incubation of Innovations in Partnerships and Financing for Agrifood Systems Transformation in Viet Nam”.This meaningful event was co-chaired by Mr. Lê Minh Hoan, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Mr. Rémi Nono Womdim, FAO Representative to Viet Nam cum UN Resident Coordinator ad interim. The event was conducted in hybrid format, with approximately 150 delegates were in attendance. Participants included leaders from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the provinces of Dien Bien, Son La, and Dong Thap; as well as the Ambassadors and Heads of UN Agencies in Viet Nam; the development partners; leaders of civil society organizations, research institutes, NGOs; the experts, policymakers from national national and international organizations; and the private sector.1. The World Food Day 2024, with the theme “Right to foods for a better life and a better future”, offers an opportunity to widely share the global commitment to ensuring all people have the right to adequate food through the transformation of food systems in a sustainable and equitable way.Food is the third most basic human need after air and water. However, not everyone in the world today has access to enough food for a healthy life. Currently, about 733 million people are short of food, primarily due to conflict, climate change, poverty and economic downturns. More than 2.8 billion people cannot afford healthy diets. FAO, as a specialized agency of the United Nations and a leading intergovernmental organization, advocates for and supports the realization of the right to food through providing technical assistance in policy and legislation, strengthening governance and monitoring systems, building capacity, and promoting policy dialogue among stakeholders.“We talk about “foods” in the plural because diversity is essential to proper nutrition, as well as food availability, accessibility and affordability for all” said Mr. Rémi Nono Womdim, FAO Representative to Viet Nam.2. Throughout the development of the agriculture sector, Viet Nam has not only relied on its own efforts but also benefited from the significant contributions of international partners. In the current context, Vietnamese agriculture needs to take more concrete actions to strengthen cooperation and leverage external support to achieve its development goals and meet the international commitment that Viet Nam has undertaken. Marking the 44th World Food Day, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced the “Plan for International Cooperation Promotion in Agriculture and Rural Development to 2030 and vision to 2050”. The Plan aims to actively and responsibly engage in globalization and tackle the challenges of global agriculture, integrating agriculture into the global market while mobilizing human resources, technology, and foreign investment to support the rapid and sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas in Viet Nam. The Plan outlines specific solutions and priority tasks that the Ministry coordinates closely with international partners and relevant ministries to implement from now until 2030, with a vision to 2050, contributing to achieving the strategies, plans, and commitments assigned by the government.In his remarks, Minister Lê Minh Hoan said, “We are willing to cooperate with international partners comprehensively on trade, investment, technical assistance, science and technology, as well as training and communications, on the basis of diversifying partnerships, fostering relationships with all, and promoting effective international cooperation in agriculture.”3. Viet Nam's food system is moving towards a multi-sectoral and multi-objective approach, including: (1) Continued transformation to a transparent, responsible and sustainable food supplier, making a positive contribution to the global food security; (2) Smart adaptation to climate change, protection of resources, ecosystems and biodiversity; and (3) Provision of sustainable livelihoods while ensuring social protection security, especially for the poor and vulnerable.As part of the implementation of the “National Action Plan for Transformation to Transparent, Accountable and Sustainable Food System in Viet Nam to 2030” (Decision no. 300/QĐ-TTg dated 28th March 2023), with the approval of the Prime Minister. MARD, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, as well as over 30 national and international partners, signed the “Partnership Agreement for Transparent, Responsible and Sustainable Food Systems Transformation in Viet Nam (FST-Partnership)”. This partnership is a key component of the “Plan for International Cooperation Promotion in Agriculture and Rural Development to 2030 and vision to 2050”.The main objectives of the Partnership Agreement are: Create a multi-sectoral connectivity mechanism that leverages the strengths of each partner in transforming the food system; Enhance capacity and share experiences in policy, investment, research, and implement food system transformation activities; Mobilize resources to develop input supply networks, develop production, develop processing and distribution networks, promote responsible consumption practices to ensure healthy diets and contribute to food and nutrition security for the people of Viet Nam.4. On the occasion of the signing of the Partnership Agreement, the United Nations in Viet Nam kicked off a joint programme entitled “Incubation of Innovations in Partnerships and Financing for Agrifood Systems Transformation in Viet Nam”, laying the groundwork for the Partnership’s activities. The programme focuses on three main objectives: (1) Build strategic partnerships for agrifood systems transformation; (2) The national food finance architecture reshaped to become sustainable, equitable, and resilient, and more SDG value for money catalyzed; (3) National knowledge, capacities and learning built, as well as progress and impact monitored and communicated to inform, influence multiple stakeholders and drive accelerated joint actions for food systems as a key transition.Highlighting the importance of the Programme and its implementation, Mr. Patrick Haverman, Resident Representative a.i. of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Viet Nam, stated on behalf of the Participating United Nations Organizations, “I am confident that this programme will set a benchmark for innovation in agrifood systems transformation—not just in Viet Nam, but across the region. I express my hope that the FST Partnership will take off and serve as an effective platform, uniting the expertise, financial resources, efforts, and determination of all partners to transform Viet Nam's food systems in a sustainable, responsible and transparent manner.”The United Nations in Viet Nam remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting Viet Nam's sustainable development journey. Speaking at the event, Minister Lê Minh Hoan affirmed, “Together, we will create new values for the ‘Right to foods for a better life and a better future’. The future is not something we simply predict; it is something we build together and take action for our better tomorrow. Do not hesitate when opportunities arise. The future belongs to those who dare to face challenges…” For more information, please kindly contact:- Mr. Trinh Anh Tuan, Senior Programme Communications and Advocacy Officer, The UN Resident Coordinator Office in Viet Nam (Email: tuan.trinh@un.org; tel. +84 24 3850 0193).- Ms. Vu Thi Ngoc Diep, Communications Focal Point, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (Email: Diep.Vungoc@fao.org; tel. +84913523202).- Ms. Bui My Binh, International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Email: mybinhbui@gmail.com; Tel: +84989096252) 

The workshop discussed cyber threats toward women and girls and equipped them with the knowledge and resilience needed to effectively navigate and respond to these cyber threats.This workshop also marks the start of implementing Viet Nam's first National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS). One of the tasks and solutions identifies by the NAP is to “Enhance the effectiveness of prevention and response to gender-based violence (including technology-facilitated violence), meet specific needs, and promote meaningful participation of women in addressing war consequences, and in the prevention, control, handling, and response to incidents, disasters, and non-traditional security challenges.” The workshop took the lead in implementing activity number II.2.e of the NAP: "Raise awareness and capacity for women and girls in responding to cyberspace challenges."The workshop was attended by leaders from the Department of Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention, the Party and Political Work Department, the Ninh Bình Provincial Police, representatives from functional units of MPS, the Central Vietnam Women's Union, MPS’s Women's Union, and representatives from 24 Northern provinces and various related departments.Notably, experts from the Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention, MPS’s Women's Union and UN Women also engaged in discussions with students, teachers, and staff of Luong Van Tuy High School in Ninh Bình, encouraging critical dialogue on these urgent issues.“The digital ecosystem grows, so do the challenges it presents. The rise of cybercrime, cyberattacks, and cyber harassments and violence poses a constant threat to individuals, organizations, and even the peace and stability of nations. The need to ensure the protection of vulnerable groups, especially women and girls, against those security issues is also becoming more urgent and demanding”. Said Ms. Gaelle Demolis, Governance, Peace and Security Policy and Programme Specialist, UN Women Regional Office, Asia and the Pacific. Lieutenant Colonel Trieu Manh Tung, Deputy Director of the Department of Cyber ​​Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention and Control - Ministry of Public Security, assessed: The workshop is one of the practical actions in the Ministry of Public Security's Plan to advocate and implement the "Preventing and combating criminal activities in cyberspace" campaign under the direction of the Prime Minister on mobilizing the combined strength of the entire political system, in all sectors, branches, levels, organizations, businesses, and with all people to fight against cybercrimes. The workshop facilitates a dialogue between leaders, cybersecurity experts, party committee leaders, local authorities, Women's Union officials at all levels and advocates. It raises awareness and capacity for women and girls to respond to cyber challenges, and also build and replicate good models and practices in supporting women to respond to challenges in cyberspace. Major General Ngo Hoai Thu, Deputy Director of the Department of Party and Political Work - Ministry of Public Security, and Head of the Women's Department, believes that with the continued advocacy and practical guidance from Vietnam Women’s Union members, the impact and effectiveness of this workshop will be extended and widely spread, especially among students. For media inquiries and further information, please contact:Ms. Hoang ThaoCommunications and Advocacy Analyst, UN Women Viet Namhoang.thao@unwomen.org