UNESCO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training, Hanoi National University of Education, and CJ Group, has launched a new phase of its We Are ABLE initiative to advance gender-transformative STEAM education in Vietnam. The launch event, held on 24 March, brought together around 1,000 participants, including educators, students, policymakers, and development partners from multiple provinces and cities.
The new phase builds on the achievements of Phase 2 (2023–2025), which reached over 8,300 students in 15 lower secondary schools, particularly those serving ethnic minority communities. It also strengthened the capacities of more than 650 teachers and supported 300 student leaders in promoting gender equality through advocacy and communication initiatives. Beyond these outcomes, the project has played a role in shaping national discussions on gender equality in education.
Participants highlighted the project’s impact on students’ confidence and self-expression, particularly among girls. The initiative has helped empower learners to believe in their abilities, speak up, and actively contribute to change within their communities.
Government representatives emphasized the importance of building on these results by integrating gender equality more systematically into teacher training, curricula, and school practices. This aligns with Vietnam’s National Strategy on Gender Equality for 2021–2030 and aims to ensure long-term, system-wide impact.
The expansion comes at a time when demand for skills in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics continues to grow in Vietnam. However, gender disparities persist, with women representing only about 37 percent of the workforce in STEM-related fields, particularly affecting girls from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Over the next three years, the initiative—titled We Are ABLE for a Seamless Future: From Learning to Leading through STEAM Education—will focus on enhancing teacher capacity, promoting hands-on learning, and strengthening collaboration among schools, communities, and private sector partners. It is expected to directly benefit at least 6,000 students, including 3,000 girls, while equipping more than 100 educators and counsellors with gender-responsive teaching approaches.
Supported by CJ Group and its affiliates, the project underscores a broader commitment to inclusive education. By fostering skills, confidence, and leadership among girls, the initiative aims to create more equitable pathways from education to future careers, reinforcing the idea that empowering young learners today is key to shaping a more inclusive and innovative future.
