Ambassador Mudie arrived at Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations invitation from the Director of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Major General Hoang Kim Phung to discuss bilateral Defence cooperation and meet with female peacekeepers who have deployed overseas or are preparing to deploy. H.E. Ms Robyn Mudie, the Australian Ambassador to Vietnam and Major General Hoang Kim Phung, Director General of Vietnam’s Department of Peacekeeping Operations (VNDPKO) discussed cooperation areas to be promoted in the upcoming time. (Photo: The Australian Embassy in Vietnam) Also marking the importance of Vietnam Women’s Day during the visit, Ambassador Mudie spoke to the peacekeepers about the roles of women in society and the opportunities and challenges those roles represent. The female peacekeepers in turn shared their perspective on women in the military and in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and the opportunities and challenges they faced. While talking to the female peacekeepers Ambassador Mudie complimented the important role that these women fill now and on Peacekeeping missions. She said: “As part of the first generation of Vietnam’s peacekeeping deployments, you are contributing to Vietnam’s history and the global story of women’s vital role in peace and security. In the Peacekeeping environment you are safe to approach for women and girls, you are a comfortable and dignified source of medical and health care and you understand what weighs on women’s minds.” Australia is proud to have provided strategic airlift support to all three of Vietnam’s Level 2 Field Hospitals which have deployed to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. H.E. Ms Robyn Mudie, the Australian Ambassador to Vietnam was with female Vietnamese peacekeepers in front of vehicles equipped for the UN mission in Africa. (Photo: The Australian Embassy in Vietnam) Vietnam’s peacekeeping in Africa complements its important role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term. Australia recognises Vietnam’s key role as the co-chair of the ADMM+ Expert Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations and is pleased that Vietnam has been including women, peace and security as a key topic in this forum. Vietnam Women’s Day begins gender month for the Australian Embassy, highlighting the importance of gender equality and empowering women and girls across the breadth of Australia’s development, diplomatic, trade and commercial and people to people priorities in the partnership with Vietnam./.