2020
Hai Ha Vu Thi
- Age: 30
- | She/her/hers
Region:
Country of Origin:
Country of Residence:
Expertise Areas:
Creating a lasting gender-equal world requires an entire shift of the system. Instead of addressing issues at the litany level, which are rarely questioned, we need to unravel the patriarchal foundation, which continues to limit equal opportunities for girls and gender non-conforming people. Let us collectively disrupt the system for the better.
- Hai Ha Vu Thi
Bio
Ms. Hai Ha Vu Thi is a Junior Professional Officer (Programme Analyst – Youth, Gender and Social Inclusion) at the IFAD Addis Ababa sub-regional Hub, covering project portfolio in Ethiopia, South Sudan and Eritrea. Hai Ha is a youth advocate and centers her work around meaningful youth participation, leadership and agency. Prior to this appointment, Hai Ha worked for the UNESCO Ha Noi and Bangkok offices as a Consultant on youth programming. She also co-founded and acted as the Communication Coordinator of Kiron Open Higher Education France, enabling access to higher education for migrants and refugees. She brings in work experience with youth and vulnerable groups in Nepal, Sierra Leone, France, and Viet Nam. Hai Ha holds a Master’s Degree in Human Rights and Humanitarian Action from Sciences Po, Paris, France. She is a national of Germany and speaks English, German, French and Vietnamese.
What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?
Being an Asian who is a second-generation immigrant and a woman, I have experienced an interplay of structural issues stemming from patriarchy and racism. As an advocate, I want every girl and woman, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, or socio-economic background, to believe in themselves and strive for their dreams.
Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.
I co-organized an unconventional event at the UN Vietnam to normalize the perception of and talk about body diversity, including female, male, and gender non-conforming bodies. This allowed for a safe space at the UN for conversations around sex and sexuality.
Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?
I can spend a whole day getting lost in the streets of wherever I live, trying different flavorful delicacies, be it nem chua ran or shawarma. I also love spending time with friends and losing my sense of time over a good coffee and a stimulating conversation.
Languages Spoken:
- English (Advanced/Native)
- German (Advanced/Native)
- Vietnamese (Advanced/Native)
- French (Intermediate)
- German (Advanced/Native)
Publications:
Speaks On:
- Meaningful youth participation
- Rural youth and their access to resources (finance, agricultural inputs...)
- Youth advancing and innovating the agricultural space
Past Awards, Certifications, or Fellowships:
- Futures Literacy Training by Riel Miller and Loes Damhof
- Art of Hosting Training by Art of Hosting Team
- Human Rights-Based Approach Training by OHCHR
- REMIX x Cities by School of Slow Media
- Meaningful Engagement with Youth by Julia Stevens
