Message on cooperation, creating a safer society for Vietnamese women and girls

That is what the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Pio Smith emphasized during his recent visit to Vietnam, while reaffirming UNFPA's ongoing commitment to working together to address gender-based violence.

UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Pio Smith speaks, affirming UNFPA's ongoing commitment to working together to address gender-based violence. (Source: UNFPA)

Over the past four decades, the Vietnamese government has worked with UNFPA to make positive strides in addressing violence against women and girls and strengthening support services for survivors.

However, Vietnam still faces many challenges. According to the 2019 National Survey on Violence Against Women in Vietnam, nearly 2 in 3 women have experienced one or more forms of violence by their husband/partner. However, more than 90% of women do not seek any support from government agencies.

During her visit to Hanoi, UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Pio Smith highlighted this issue in meetings with the Government of Viet Nam, the international community and partners in Viet Nam, and reaffirmed UNFPA’s ongoing commitment to working together to address gender-based violence.

Mr. Smith emphasized the importance of an integrated, multi-sectoral approach to addressing gender-based violence, including through the expansion of One Stop Service Centers, Sunshine Houses across Vietnam.

These centres provide integrated, essential and comprehensive services to survivors of gender-based violence, including health, social, justice and protection services. To date, four Ánh Dương centres have been established with the support of UNFPA. UNFPA is now working on plans to further expand the initiative to meet the support needs of survivors of gender-based violence.

Noting the recent progress made to end gender-based violence in Viet Nam, Mr. Smith said: “Much has been done over the past four decades to end violence against women and girls in Viet Nam. Investing in gender equality and addressing violence is not only a moral obligation, but also good for the economy. Preventing violence against women and girls can boost productivity and improve the well-being of future generations. UNFPA is committed to continuing to support the Government of Viet Nam and its partners in building a safer and more equitable society for all of us.”

UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Director Pio Smith (second from left) at a working session with Ms. Hoang Thi Thanh Nga, Deputy Director General, Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (third from left). (Source: UNFPA)

The Regional Director’s visit comes at a critical time following Typhoon Yagi, which hit Vietnam last month and severely impacted vulnerable communities, increasing the risk of violence against women and girls.

UNFPA, in collaboration with the Vietnam Farmers’ Union, is distributing 1,800 kits of essential supplies to survivors of gender-based violence and women at risk of violence in provinces severely affected by storms and floods. The kits contain essential hygiene items, safety equipment, and information on support services for survivors of gender-based violence, helping women protect themselves from violence and maintain their dignity.

The visit reaffirms UNFPA's long-standing partnership with Viet Nam and UNFPA's commitment to working with partners in Viet Nam to promote gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and human rights.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the United Nations agency responsible for sexual and reproductive health. UNFPA's mission is “to create a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.”

UNFPA works closely with the Government of Viet Nam and other stakeholders to improve people’s access to quality sexual and reproductive health services, promote reproductive rights, reduce maternal mortality, collect and analyze high-quality population data, address gender equality and gender-based violence, capitalize on the opportunities of the demographic dividend, promote youth development, and address the challenge of population ageing.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/thong-diep-ve-hop-tac-tao-ra-xa-hoi-an-toan-hon-cho-phu-nu-va-tre-em-gai-viet-nam-290099.html