Photo exhibition on rural women’s contribution to sustainable development

UN Women, the United Nations’ agency for gender equality and women's empowerment, is holding a photo exhibition on rural Vietnamese women’s contribution to sustainable development at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum in Hanoi.

photo exhibition on rural women’s contribution to sustainable development hinh 0
“Mending fishing net” by Giang Son Dong from Bac Lieu Province won the first prize of “Rural women and sustainable development” photo contest. Photo: Courtesy of Australian Embassy in Vietnam

Photos on display are top 40 photos shortlisted from more than 1,000 entries of the “Rural women and sustainable development” photo contest which was launched in March on the occasion of International Women’s Day (March 8) by UN Women with the support of the Australian and Canadian embassies.

The photos give viewers a glimpse into the lives of rural women, the challenges they face, and the important contributions they make to Vietnam’s development across many areas, including technology, sustainable agriculture, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, entrepreneurship, leadership and decision making.

Addressing the exhibition’s opening ceremony last week, Elisa Fernandez, head of the UN Women Vietnam office, said: “Even in the absence of words, photographs can portray reality in a manner that is honest, eye-opening, thought-provoking and reflective, while still being entertaining and easily understood.”

“We believe that photography is a powerful tool to raise awareness and to trigger positive development in society. Looking at all of the entries, we see positive changes regarding the empowerment of rural Vietnamese women,” she added.

“Canada is committed to sustainable development and women’s empowerment. Through the exhibition, we want to raise awareness for and celebrate the women who have helped shape Vietnam into the thriving and prosperous country that it is today,” said Robert Bissett, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. at the Embassy of Canada in Vietnam.

According to a report of the General Statistics Office of Vietnam in 2015, women constitute a significant percentage of the agricultural workforce in the country.

In rural areas, up to 63.4% of working women are in agriculture compared to 57.5% of working men. Rural women make substantial contributions to the country's economic growth.

However, rural women and girls remain among those most likely to experience poverty and lack access to resources, such as land, agricultural extension, finance, education and healthcare.

As a direct result of gender inequality, rural women and girls fare worse than their rural male counterparts on almost every measure of development.

October 15 has been chosen the International Day of Rural Women. This year the United Nations commemorate the day under the theme “Sustainable infrastructure, services and social protection for gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls”.

The “Rural Vietnamese women’s contribution to sustainable development” exhibition will run until November 10.

Saigon Times

Other News

Vietnam secure berth at FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for first time

Vietnam secure berth at FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for first time

Vietnam national U17 football team secured a place at the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for the first time after defeating United Arab Emirates national U17 football team 3-2 on in the final Group C match of the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 in Saudi Arabia on early May 14 (Vietnam time).

Vietnam’s most beautiful railway station twins with French counterpart

Vietnam’s most beautiful railway station twins with French counterpart

A twinning agreement between Da Lat Railway Station in Vietnam and Trouville-Deauville Railway Station in France was signed at the French Embassy in Vietnam on May 7, creating new opportunities for cooperation in station management and operations, as well as cultural and tourism promotion between the two sides.

Hanoi gains two more craft villages in World Crafts Cities network

Hanoi gains two more craft villages in World Crafts Cities network

The recognition of Chuyen My and Son Dong craft villages as members of the World Crafts Cities network represents international acknowledgement of the cultural value, artisanal techniques, creativity and sustainable vitality of Vietnam’s traditional craft villages, he said.

Thang Long - Hanoi Festival 2026 to return in September

Thang Long - Hanoi Festival 2026 to return in September

Co-hosted by the municipal People’s Committee, the Department of Culture and Sports, and domestic and foreign agencies, the whole spectacle is meant to honour the city’s millennia-old heritage while reafffirming its strategy of establishing culture as a development engine.

Spreading Vietnamese cultural identity in digital space

Spreading Vietnamese cultural identity in digital space

In the context of deep international integration, cultural identity serves as both a “shield” against assimilation and a defining marker of a nation’s image. Protecting and promoting uniquely Vietnamese cultural values has therefore become a pressing task, particularly in an increasingly complex digital environment.

ITE HCMC 2026 to promote Vietnam’s tourism on global map

ITE HCMC 2026 to promote Vietnam’s tourism on global map

With its large scale, the ITE HCMC 2026 aims to promote tourism cooperation between Vietnam and priority markets such as Northeast Asia, Western Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, and Oceania while also boosting visitor arrivals from the Indian market

Vietnamese puppetry seeks renewal amid preservation challenges

Vietnamese puppetry seeks renewal amid preservation challenges

Although widely regarded as a cultural “speciality” attracting tourists, Vietnamese puppetry is facing multiple challenges in preservation and development, requiring renewed efforts to both safeguard its identity and adapt to contemporary cultural currents.

Project on digital transformation in cultural sector approved

Project on digital transformation in cultural sector approved

By 2030, the project targets the establishment of shared digital platforms across 100% of cultural sectors. All digitised cultural heritage will be standardised under the national data framework and shared in accordance with regulations, while 80% of public digital heritage assets are expected to receive digital identifiers to clarify ownership and management, encouraging organisations and individuals to do the same and support market development.

Vietnam eyes becoming region’s leading tourism destination

Vietnam eyes becoming region’s leading tourism destination

Vietnam has in recent years undergone a notable transformation in its tourism development strategy, placing a strong emphasis on nature-based and eco-tourism. This shift is not merely aligned with global trends, but represents a necessary step towards safeguarding valuable natural resources, while appealing to a growing segment of environmentally conscious travellers.