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| United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative in Vietnam Matt Jackson. (Source: UNFPA) |
The State of Violence Against Women in Southeast Asia
In Southeast Asia, traditional gender norms assume that women and girls are primary caregivers, leading to severe gender imbalances in both household responsibilities and social roles.
Deep-seated gender bias, coupled with the unequal distribution of unpaid care work, exacerbates the challenges women face, leading to abuse, perpetuating gender inequality and economic dependency. Over time, women’s autonomy and decision-making are stripped away, increasing the risk of domestic violence – a global crisis on the horizon.
For example, in Laos, nearly one-third of women face physical, sexual or emotional violence by an intimate partner, reflecting a regional and global reality rooted in social and gender norms.
Similarly, in Vietnam, the 2019 national study on violence against women found that nearly two-thirds (about 63%) of married women had experienced violence. Notably, 90.4% of those who experienced violence did not seek help. The economic cost of violence against women was equivalent to 1.81% of GDP (2018).
In Thailand, despite significant progress, 44% of women report experiencing violence by an intimate partner, highlighting the challenges the country faces.
The statistics from these countries all highlight a broader global crisis of violence against women, fueled by stubborn inequalities and systemic barriers.
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| The fact that many women face physical, sexual or emotional violence from their intimate partners reflects a regional and global reality rooted in social and gender norms. (Source: UNFPA) |
Many efforts are being made
The Governments of Lao PDR, Viet Nam and Thailand, with support from UNFPA and partners such as UN Women, UNDP, WHO, UNODC, the Government of the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia and Japan, have made significant progress in eliminating gender-based violence, through the implementation of the Essential Services Package for Women and Girls Exposed to Violence (ESP) - the global standard for institutional responses to acts of gender-based violence.
In these three ASEAN countries, comprehensive support systems such as One Stop Service Centers and Crisis Centers have been established in hospitals and residential areas. Comprehensive support systems have contributed to the development of standard operating procedures for health, social, judicial and police services, and strengthened national hotlines for victims of gender-based violence.
In addition, integrating gender-based violence support services into Thailand’s Universal Health Coverage system is also a promising step forward to ensure that all survivors of violence receive the support they need without facing financial barriers.
The remarkable progress achieved in Viet Nam, Laos and Thailand is a testament to the efforts of countries and the systematic application of triangular South-South cooperation. This approach has proven to be an effective model for addressing gender-based violence through sharing knowledge, resources and innovative practices.
The cooperation between the three countries reflects the spirit of ASEAN, including co-hosting a side event at the recent 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), in-person and online learning exchanges, joint field trips, and cross-border cooperation during the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence, which is observed annually across the globe.
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| Workshop on "Sharing experiences in operating and replicating the model of One-stop service center to support women and girls who are victims of violence in Vietnam", May 25, 2023, in Hanoi. (Source: UNFPA) |
Strong commitment of Vietnam, Laos and Thailand
This week, during the 3rd ASEAN Women Leaders Summit themed “Advancing the Care Economy towards the ASEAN Community beyond 2025”, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand will once again co-host a side event themed: “No Wrong Step: Sharing Good Practices in Responding to Gender-Based Violence, Health System Response, Protection, Social Work, Referral and Coordination Services”.
Together, the three countries will provide more than 200 delegates with recommendations based on successes in implementing standard operating procedures in line with international standards to ensure people experiencing violence receive essential care and support, strengthening institutions at the national and local levels.
The message from Vietnam, Laos and Thailand is clear: ● There is no wrong step, especially for those who have been abused, to find the help they need wherever they are. ● Integrating ESP into national laws and policies is crucial to guide effective implementation. ● Addressing gender-based violence requires a comprehensive and multi-sectoral approach, challenging gender norms and institutions that perpetuate violence. ● Providing services is not enough; we need to work to change social norms, ensuring that survivors of violence are not only supported after violence, but are empowered to prevent violence from occurring. A fundamental step in preventing gender-based violence lies in recognising and valuing the critical role of care work, along with a conscious effort to redistribute these responsibilities more equitably. This requires challenging traditional gender roles and ensuring that both men and boys actively advocate for and support equal access to resources, opportunities and services for everyone, regardless of gender. |
The strong national commitments of Viet Nam, Lao PDR and Thailand to the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development have been instrumental in galvanizing their commitment to ending gender-based violence and promoting gender equality. By highlighting the links between population dynamics, human rights and sustainable development, these three countries have laid the foundation for policies and programmes to address the root causes of gender-based violence and empower women and girls. This is an important step towards the shared goal of peace, prosperity and social justice.
Building on the successes of the ICPD over the past 30 years, we must maintain our focus on ending gender-based violence. The costs of inaction are high, not only in economic terms but also in the harm done to women and girls in ASEAN and around the world.
When we work together, joining forces across borders, we can break the cycle of violence and ensure that whatever door a person experiencing violence walks through to seek help, be it a hospital, a shelter or a police station, is the right door.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/mo-ra-tung-canh-cua-loi-keu-goi-ung-ho-nguoi-bi-bao-luc-tren-co-so-gioi-tai-dong-nam-a-283367.html
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