Phan Nam Tran, director of human resources, Friesland Campina Viet Nam, (middle) receives the Women’s Empowerment Principles Awards from UN Women and the European Union on November 26 for the company's achievements in creating a gender-responsive marketplace and gender-inclusive workplace — Photo Courtesy of Friesland Campina

UN Women and the European Union have given the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Award to Friesland Campina Viet Nam for its commitment to and achieving a gender-responsive marketplace and gender-inclusive workplace.

The awards were given for the first time in the Asia-Pacific region.

Friesland Campina (owner of Dutch Lady, Friso, Fristi, Yomost and other brands) was one of nine companies in Viet Nam to win the award.

The awards were organised through the European Union-funded WeEmpowerAsia programme carried out by UN Women in co-operation with the Viet Nam Women Entrepreneurs Council under the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry to encourage and recognise efforts by companies to implement programmes and activities for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Phan Nam Tran, director of human resources at Friesland, said: “At Friesland Campina Viet Nam, empowerment of women and gender equality are given priority in the development of human resources. Fifty per cent of the company’s managers and a third of its board of directors are women.

“Its Fresher & Management Trainee Programme has attracted more and more women candidates.”

In its 25 years of development in Viet Nam, Friesland Campina Viet Nam has looked at human resources as the key element of its growth.

It has organised many training courses in management and leadership skills, acquiring a win-win mindset and others for women employees. — VNS