Purpose and Goal
Globally, there has been some improvement in women's rights, with Vietnam demonstrating progress in specific areas under the SDG indicators. Notably, 91.7% of legal frameworks promoting and enforcing gender equality, particularly concerning violence against women, are established (UNDP, 2022). However, challenges persist in Vietnam's journey towards gender equality, as indicated by a 10.6% prevalence of women aged 20-24 married or in a union before age 18. The adolescent birth rate increased to 35 per 1,000 women aged 15-19 in 2019, up from 30.1 per 1,000 in 2014, reducing their ability to excel further in the employment sector, including education (Nguyen, 2021). As of December 2020, only 41.9% of gender-focused SDG monitoring indicators were available, revealing gaps in crucial areas, such as unpaid care, workforce representation, information and communications technology skills, and methodologies for monitoring gender-related aspects of poverty, harassment, asset access, and environmental considerations (Thu, 2022). Addressing these gender data disparities is imperative for fulfilling gender-related SDG commitments in Vietnam. The project acknowledges the pivotal role of pre-teachers in shaping inclusive and equitable classrooms. Empowering pre-teachers with the knowledge and skills to implement gender-sensitive teaching practices echoes global research that underscores the benefits of inclusive education in fostering students' cognitive and social development (Hornby, 2015).
CAREER is a transformative project that transcends borders and seeks to advance gender equality, economic inclusion, and sustainable development, aligning with the SDGs and delivering benefits to partner countries, especially Vietnam. It is designed to be a collaborative project to catalyse gender equality advancements in both partner countries, aiming to break gender barriers and foster economic inclusion. Stakeholders from the U.K. and Vietnam acknowledge the pressing need to address gender disparities in the educational environment, making this project a shared priority.
The primary goal of this project is to bolster gender equality in the Vietnamese education system, with a specific emphasis on pre-teachers who will play a pivotal role in shaping the minds of future generations. It responds to the pressing need for inclusive and equitable education by equipping pre-teachers with the knowledge, skills, and awareness necessary to create gender-sensitive classrooms and educational environments. The project addresses the critical problem of persistent gender stereotypes and biases in educational settings, which perpetuate inequalities and hinder the development and empowerment of girls and boys alike.
The expected outcomes of the project are:
Establishing an online database and platform dedicated to this project to share the findings, data analysis, data trends, relevant publications, training material and workshop-related information.
Development of a comprehensive framework to guide the local authorities, policymakers, and employers.
Open-access journal publications to maximise the dissemination efforts of the project.
Pre-teachers in Vietnam will undergo specialised training in gender-sensitive teaching practices, equipping them to create inclusive classrooms.
Gender-sensitive teaching methods will be implemented in classrooms across Vietnam.
The project will inspire more women in Vietnam to aspire to leadership roles in education, and the research findings will inform ongoing project improvements, ensuring its relevance and impact.
The CAREER project catalyses robust research collaboration and knowledge exchange between the U.K. and Vietnam institutions. This collaboration goes beyond the immediate scope of the project, spurring a more profound and enduring exchange of ideas, best practices, and expertise. By working together on gender-sensitive education initiatives, researchers and educators from both countries can benefit from diverse perspectives and innovative approaches. By incorporating these practices, the U.K. promotes a more diverse and inclusive approach to education that values and accommodates the unique needs of students from all backgrounds and gender identities. This, in turn, contributes to creating a more prosperous and more equitable educational experience for all learners within the U.K.
