National workshop promotes prevention of violence against women and girls

Delegates at the workshop show their determination to promote the prevention of violence against women and girls. (Photo courtesy to UN Women)

The event was jointly held by UN Women, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), and Partners for Prevention (P4P), a regional joint programme for the prevention of violence against women and girls in Asia and the Pacific run by the UNDP, UNFPA, UN Women, and UNV.

Statistics at the workshop showed that in Vietnam, 58% of ever-married women experienced at least one form of physical, mental, or sexual violence during their lifetimes and 87% of victims of domestic violence never sought help from any formal services or authorities and only looked for support when the situation became serious (the National Survey on Domestic Violence against Women, supported by the UN in 2010).

According to MOLISA, each year Vietnam records approximately 1,000 sexual abuse cases against girls.

The country’s efforts in addressing gender inequality and gender-based violence (GBV) are reflected in its legislative framework, which was strengthened with the adoption of two recent laws, the 2006 Law on Gender Equality and the 2007 Law on the Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence, along with many other policies and programmes. However, the enforcement of these policies remains a challenge.

At the workshop, national and local authorities raise awareness and share lessons learnt and experiences in implementing different models in engaging men and boys in violence prevention against women and girls.

Hoang Thi Thu Huyen, Deputy Director General of Gender Equality Department, MOLISA highlighted that one of the focus points in achieving gender equality in Vietnam is to strengthen policy and coordination between agencies in preventing and responding to GBV.

The models/interventions in the engagement of men in the prevention of violence against women and girls need to be implemented strongly at all levels. This would help to raise awareness, and provide skills and efforts needed for participants and accelerate Vietnam’s progress in promoting gender equality and empowering women.

Elisa Fernandez, Head of UN Women Head of Office in Vietnam said achieving gender equality is about transforming unequal power relations between men and women. This involves challenging the notions of masculinity and traditional perceptions of manhood. It requires men to question power dynamics in their actions or their words at the personal, interpersonal and societal level, and to take responsibility for change.

She also expressed her belief that even the men who are perpetrators can change their attitudes and behaviours towards respecting women and girls if there is space and support provided for them to change./.

NDO