Australia’s Ambassador discusses women in leadership with Vietnamese Peacekeepers
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The Australian Ambassador to Viet Nam, H.E Ms. Robyn Mudie, the Australian Defence Attaché to Viet Nam COL Paul Foura and MAJGEN Hoang Kim Phung, Director General, Viet Nam Department of Peacekeeping Operations joined the flower arrangement contest of female Vietnamese peacekeepers. |
Ambassador Mudie arrived at Viet Nam Department of Peacekeeping Operations invitation from the Director of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Major General Hoang Kim Phung to discuss bilateral Defence cooperation and meet with female peacekeepers who have deployed overseas or are preparing to deploy. Coverage of the visit was screened on Quoc Phong Viet Nam television channel on October 18, 2021, to celebrate Viet Nam Women’s Day.
Also marking the importance of Viet Nam Women’s Day during the visit, Ambassador Mudie spoke to the peacekeepers about the roles of women in society and the opportunities and challenges those roles represent. The female peacekeepers in turn shared their perspective on women in the military and in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and the opportunities and challenges they faced.
Ambassador Mudie is a strong supporter of gender equality, women’s empowerment, and women in leadership. While talking to the female peacekeeper's Ambassador Mudie complimented the important role that these women fill now and on Peacekeeping missions “As part of the first generation of Viet Nam’s peacekeeping deployments, you are contributing to Viet Nam’s history and the global story of women’s vital role in peace and security. In the Peacekeeping environment, you are safe to approach for women and girls, you are a comfortable and dignified source of medical and health care and you understand what weighs on women’s minds”.
Australia is proud to have provided strategic airlift support to all three of Viet Nam’s Level 2 Field Hospitals which have deployed to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. Viet Nam’s peacekeeping in Africa complements its important role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term.
Australia recognises Viet Nam’s key role as the co-chair of the ADMM+ Expert Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations and is pleased that Viet Nam has been including women, peace and security as a key topic in this forum.
Viet Nam Women’s Day begins gender month for the Australian Embassy, highlighting the importance of gender equality and empowering women and girls across the breadth of Australia’s development, diplomatic, trade and commercial and people to people priorities in our partnership with Viet Nam.