To celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child by the United Nations (UN) (October 11th), Plan International, has run the Girls Takeover series globally.
Since then, hundreds of girls all over the world have been stepping into the roles of leaders in media, entertainment, business and politics to demand equal power, freedom and representation for girls and young women.
Sharon Kane, Country Director of Plan International Vietnam speaking at the event
“The takeover action is an emphatic statement of girls’ power and potential. When girls get equal opportunities and equal chances in life, they can transform their lives and their communities,” said Ms. Sharon Kane.
This year, Plan International Vietnam is joined by the Swedish Embassy in the journey of encouraging and empowering girls to take the lead. As the first Embassy in Vietnam that participates in Girls Takeover series, Sweden has shown their commitment to promote gender equality and girls’ right movement.
Phuong Anh, 20 years old, a student from Hanoi National University of Education had a chance to take over the role of the Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam from Ambassador Ann Måwe.
Phuong Anh (right) empowered to take over the role of the Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam
By this role play, Phuong Anh had an opportunity to experience how a day of an ambassador was like, as well as listen to her inspiring story from a normal Swedish girl to become the ambassador of a country.
Through the discussion with the Ambassador, Phuong Anh shared her opinions about girls and women in leadership: “People usually tell me that there’s no need for girls like me to get higher education, girls’ biggest achievements are marrying the right husband and having a happy family. But I have always wondered what if girls don’t want to just settle down, but stand up and take the lead. I do believe that girls and women have the abilities to be leader, we just need more role models to learn from, as well as the encouragement from family and friends to be brave and speak up.”
“Today, I am thrilled and inspired to be with Phuong Anh, a Vietnamese strong girl, and be part of Girls Takeover, which is happening in Vietnam and globally this month to challenge gender stereotype and tear down barriers of discrimination that hold girls back. Let’s join hands to take actions so that all Vietnamese girls can get the chance to learn, lead, decide and thrive”, said the Swedish Ambassador.
She stressed that Sweden is the world’s first country to launch a feminist foreign policy to promote gender equality and all women’s and girls’ full enjoyment of human rights.
Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Ann Måwe (left) in the discussion with Phuong Anh
In the afternoon, the Swedish ambassador and Phuong Anh together visited Van Noi high school in Dong Anh district, where they participated in the discussion session of Champion of Change club.
Champion of Change is the initiative of Safer City project by Plan International Vietnam, which focuses on building a safer environment for girls and young women in public spaces. In the discussion session, students shared their opinions about the Vietnamese folk verses that they considered creating stereotypes around girls and women.
Plan International is the world’s largest girls’ rights organisation, having been working in 75 countries for the past 80 years. Plan International Vietnam supports the vision that marginalized children and youth in Vietnam, especially adolescent girls, are able to reach their full potential in a society that protects and respects their rights. Plan International Vietnam’s goal by 2021 is to take action so that 2 million girls in Vietnam can learn, lead, decide, and thrive./.