The Department of Foreign Relations, Ministry of Public Security, hosted the workshop in partnership with UN Women.

Promoting female officers to leadership and technical roles as first responders to emerging security issues can strengthen the ability of law enforcement to mitigate risks; prevent and fight crimes against women and girls; ensure access to justice; and facilitate gender-responsive services to female victims of human trafficking, family violence, sexual abuse and cybercrimes.

Increasing the representation and roles of women in policing reduces the incidence of violence against women in many circumstances.

In opening the workshop, Shawn Steil, Ambassador of Canada to Vietnam, said: “Evidence shows that women’s voices and leadership not only make a difference—they bring lasting peace that benefits their communities and countries.

When women are involved in peace and security efforts, solutions are more comprehensive, reflecting what a community actually needs to recover from conflict. This increases community buy-in and offers a better opportunity to address the root causes of conflict”.

In her opening remarks, Elisa Fernandez, UN Women’s Head of Office in Vietnam, said: “The National Strategy on Gender Equality 2021-2030 has paved the way for policewomen in Viet Nam to transition to a higher level of partnership with policemen, where women are promoted equally based on the principles of equity, duties, policies and respect, and both sides work toward reducing and eliminating stereotypes and gender-based discrimination, both at work and at home”.

With investments in their professional development, policewomen leaders will be able to respond to the demands of gender-sensitive policing and emerging crimes such as cybercrimes. And Vietnam can translate into action its international and national commitments to gender equality and the United Nations Women, Peace and Security agenda./.