Helping Vietnamese Women Get Online

AGATHE DALISSON/INTERNEWS Nguyen Thu Hue, Country Coordinator for Internews in Vietnam

Asked how she got into her line of work, Nguyen Thu Hue, Country Coordinator for Internews projects in Vietnam, replies, “The Internet brings such benefits to people, especially the young generation. As a Vietnamese, I really want to help in my country’s development. Internet access provides opportunities for everyone.”

With a background in law and international business administration, Nguyen Thu joined Internews in 2003 to lead its information and communications technology (ICT) program in Vietnam. This work has focused on reforming Internet and telecommunications policy so that the people of Vietnam can join in the 21st century economy.

“Internet policy is not just a matter for policymakers,” says Nguyen Thu. “It’s important to all people who care about the future and about social and economic development.”

Starting in 2002, Internews’ ICT work in Vietnam has included sensitizing the government to the need for telecommunications reform and expanding trade via e-commerce; training Vietnamese software companies to improve their business and production practices; and training Vietnamese judges, lawyers and journalists in Internet and telecom policy, among other projects.

Beginning this summer, Internews is providing intensive Internet and computer training to women in positions of leadership.

“The idea came about from my five years of working with NGOs and their interaction with media,” says Nguyen Thu. “As an activist for women’s rights, I personally would like to see Vietnamese women improve their quality of life.”

AGATHE DALISSON/INTERNEWS The young people at this cybercafé in Hanoi are among the information technology vanguard in Vietnam. According to InternetWorldStats.com, just seven percent of Vietnamese have access to the Internet and the basic knowledge needed to use web technology.

In Vietnam as in much of the world, Internet training can dramatically improve a woman’s job status and earning power. Internews’ project is based on the idea that female journalists and leaders of NGOs are in a position to reach and inspire other women, particularly the younger generation.

Key project components include coordinating a series of workshops in Hanoi and developing a web-based forum where women can interact with one another in person and online. These activities are intended to build women’s confidence in their ability to navigate the technology.

Internews programs in Vietnam are funded by USAID, the US Department of State’s Asia and Pacific Women’s Fund, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and EuropAid.