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.

  • Northwestern culture to be featured at 6th Ban Flower Festival
  • Nga and other Miss Grand International’s contestants wow in bikinis
  • Festival to help Ninh Binh promote tourism potential
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

Digital innovation breathes new life into Vietnam's museums

Digital innovation breathes new life into Vietnam's museums

Technology is similarly enriching exhibitions at the Vietnam Women’s Museum in Hanoi. Wartime letters, a typewriter and other artefacts linked to former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh have been digitally integrated with collections held at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City. Through projection mapping, 3D displays and a virtual reality recreation of the Paris Peace Agreement, visitors can engage more deeply with the life and achievements of one of Vietnam’s most prominent diplomats.

Vesak 2026 highlights Buddhism's enduring commitment to nation in new era

Vesak 2026 highlights Buddhism's enduring commitment to nation in new era

Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Supreme Patriarch of the VBS Patronage Council, called on Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns, and followers to continue serving society with mindfulness and compassion, uphold the noble traditions of Vietnamese Buddhism, and spread the light of kindness to foster a better life for all.

Soul of Mong people's panpipe kept alive in mountainous schools

Soul of Mong people's panpipe kept alive in mountainous schools

In recent years, many localities across the Dong Van Karst Plateau have strengthened efforts to integrate traditional culture preservation into schools. "Khen" performances, linen weaving, folk songs and traditional games are gradually becoming more familiar once again to younger generations.

Australia – Vietnam promote cooperation in contemporary music

Australia – Vietnam promote cooperation in contemporary music

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird said: “We are thrilled to support this musical collaboration between Australia’s Matthew Ifield and Vietnam’s Mỹ Anh. Creative connections and exchange between young people in Australia and Vietnam will help build cultural understanding between our nations”.

VFF leader sends Vesak greetings to Buddhist community

VFF leader sends Vesak greetings to Buddhist community

Vietnamese Buddhism has consistently upheld the spirit of “protecting the nation and serving the people” while accompanying the nation in promoting social ethics, strengthening great national unity, and advancing national development.

Ho Chi Minh City boosts tourism appeal through culinary, cultural experiences

Ho Chi Minh City boosts tourism appeal through culinary, cultural experiences

According to Vu Ngoc Lam, Country Director of Agoda Vietnam, travellers are becoming more selective when choosing accommodation, prioritising properties with strong reviews, quality amenities and distinctive dining options. This trend reflects a growing emphasis on the overall travel experience, alongside peer-based quality assurance.

Chinese destinations become increasingly popular among Vietnamese tourists

Chinese destinations become increasingly popular among Vietnamese tourists

With its majestic landscapes, rich ethnic cultures and immersive tourism experiences, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Old Town of Lijiang are becoming increasingly attractive to Vietnamese travellers, while also contributing to stronger tourism and cultural exchanges between Vietnam and China’s Yunnan province.

Flights connecting Da Nang, Moscow resumed

Flights connecting Da Nang, Moscow resumed

The increase in flights from Russia, the CIS and Belarus to Da Nang not only helps diversify the city’s international visitor markets but also reflects growing confidence among international travel companies in Da Nang’s attractiveness and tourism capacity.

Command Cave tour breathes new life into Truong Son legend

Command Cave tour breathes new life into Truong Son legend

The Command Cave tour offers domestic and international visitors an opportunity to explore the values of the World Natural Heritage site of Phong Nha-Ke Bang while commemorating the victories and sacrifices of forces operating along the Truong Son route.

📝OP-ED: Building culture 'immunity' through high-quality works of art

📝OP-ED: Building culture 'immunity' through high-quality works of art

The representative of the Vietnam Cinema Association stated that in the context of today’s fourth Industrial Revolution, the requirement to respect and ensure historical authenticity through cinema has become more important than ever, as digital platforms and cyberspace have enabled the widespread dissemination of cross-border media products.

When millions of beautiful stories together tell of a Happy Vietnam

When millions of beautiful stories together tell of a Happy Vietnam

PSNews - "We have always affirmed that the greatest strength lies in the people, and the greatest creativity also comes from the people. When millions of positive stories are shared and spread simultaneously, we are not only promoting the image of our country, but also helping to strengthen social trust, enhance consensus, elevate national prestige, and proactively counter false and distorted information about Vietnam in the international arena", said Trinh Thi Thuy - Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Head of the Organizing Committee of the award.