The Australian government on Monday launched a Gender Equality Strategy for Vietnam, outlining its plans to promote women’s empowerment in the Southeast Asian country.

The strategy will be implemented by Australia’s diplomatic missions in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City between 2016 and 2020 and will cover all Australian government agencies in Vietnam.

The priorities are to improve the quality of life for girls and women and support the Vietnamese government in its efforts to implement its own National Gender Equality Strategy.

The initiative will focus on the key areas of improving women’s participation in decision-making and leadership; promoting economic empowerment; and ending violence against women.

– with other agencies