Nearly 300 Delegates Attend "Girls Lead the Future"
	2,000 Runners Unite to Champion a Violence-Free Future for Women and Girls

As part of the event “Girls Takeover – Policy Dialogue on School Health”, co-organized by the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET), Plan International Vietnam, and AstraZeneca Vietnam at Hanoi-based Truong Cong Giai Secondary School on October 9, three girl students were “given the power” to take on leadership roles, representing the voices of girls in a policy dialogue.

The activity is part of the Young Health Programme (2023–2025) implemented by Plan International Vietnam with support from AstraZeneca, aiming to empower adolescents, especially girls, to take charge of their physical and mental health.

At the event. Photo: Ha Minh

The event also contributes to the global Girls Takeover 2025 campaign under the theme “Ending Child Marriage”, calling on everyone to work together to protect every girl’s right to learn, to be safe, and to choose her own future.

The girls shared their perspectives on key school health issues — from mental health and nutrition to physical activity — along with concrete, practical proposals for a healthier and more holistic learning environment.

An, acting as her school principal stressed that about 1 in 5 lower secondary students face mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, or study-related stress. They hope for a comprehensive health education programme that integrates mental, nutritional, and physical well-being; strengthens school counselling services; and enhances coordination among schools, families, and health sectors.

Van, acting as the country director of Plan International Vietnam highlighted the fact that students in Vietnam are facing a ‘double burden’ of nutrition — undernutrition in disadvantaged areas and increasing overweight and obesity in cities. She proposes integrating nutrition education into the core curriculum, standardizing healthy canteens and school meals, and mobilizing community and private sector support for sustainable ‘school meal’ models.

Meanwhile, Ngoc, acting as the external affairs director of AstraZeneca Vietnam, the proportion of students achieving the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity remains low, especially among girls. She suggests MoET set a minimum requirement of 60 minutes per day, diversify physical education modules suitable for different genders and fitness levels, and promote a safe, inclusive, and joyful environment for movement.

After listening to the young leaders’ presentations, Dr. Nguyen Nho Huy, deputy director general of the Department of Students Affairs under the MoET voices her impression about how confident and mature the girls are adding that their ideas are insightful and practical. MoET acknowledges and will continue to study these proposals to integrate comprehensive health education into schools for a generation of Vietnamese youth who are strong, happy, and empowered.

Earlier, from October 3–6, on the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Plan International Vietnam in Lai Chau province organized a series of activities under the theme of Girls Takeover - Ending Child Marriage, combining the festive spirit of the Mid-Autumn celebration with communications on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and prevention of early marriage among children.

Digital Empowerment of Girls in Quang Tri Province Girls in the northern-most province of Quang Tri will take this opportunities to become digital creators and learn skills that will allow them to flourish

Vietnam Reaffirms Commitment to Advancing the “Women, Peace and Security” Agenda Vietnam remains steadfast in promoting the Women, Peace and Security agenda, upholding its commitment to ensuring that women are not only beneficiaries but also architects ...