KOICA's launching two new projects to address gender-based violence against women and girls in Vietnam
WVR - The two new KOICA-funded projects aim to strengthen gender-based violence response efforts and to ensure uninterrupted support for survivors in Vietnam.
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| Launching ceremony projects on promoting replication of a model in preventing and responding to violence against women and girls in Vietnam on January 13, in Hanoi. (Photo: Thu Trang) |
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has allocated 5.5 million USD to fund two news projects to support the Government of Vietnam with technical and financial support from UNFPA to address gender-based violence against women and girls, especially marginalised groups such as people living with disabilities and LGBTQI+ communities.
On January 13, in Hanoi, UNFPA Representative in Vietnam Matt Jackson and Vietnam Country Director of KOICA Lee Byung Hwa jointly launch two important KOICA-funded projects to promote the replication of the One Stop Service Centre model, also known as Anh Duong House, in other localities across Vietnam and to support emergency relief and post-disaster recovery for Anh Duong House in Quang Ninh province.
UNFPA in Vietnam will work closely with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and other relevant ministries and agencies as well as the local authorities of Quang Ninh, Ha Tinh and Khanh Hoa to fully implement this project by the end of 2027.
With the support of KOICA for the 1st phase of the project entitled “Building a support model to respond and prevent violence against women and girls in Vietnam," from 2017 to 2021, the first-ever One-Stop Service Center (OSSC) (Anh Duong House) was established and opened in Quang Ninh province in 2020 to provide comprehensive services for survivors of gender-based violence.
In 2022, KOICA and UNFPA pledged to undertake the first “bridge-phase” project to sustain and strengthen the achievements of the first phase and to ensure the sustainable, long-term operation of Anh Duong House in Quang Ninh.
Following the success of these two projects, KOICA decided to fund the second phase project, entitled “Promote replication of a model in preventing and responding to violence against women and girls in Vietnam to enhance support for service delivery to women and girls subjected to violence”.
This project will support the establishment and operation of new Anh Duong Houses in other localities. It will contribute to strengthening a multi-sectoral response in addressing violence against women and girls at national and subnational levels.
The initiative will prioritise marginalised groups including individuals living with disabilities and LGBTQI+ communities. It will also raise awareness among employers, employees, labour unions, and the community about sexual violence and harassment at the workplace, especially at industrial zones. A core component of this project will be behavioural change, engaging men and boys through targeted communication campaigns to foster positive masculinities and address the root causes of violence.
Additionally, KOICA will fund the 2nd “bridge phase” project to be implemented in 2025 to “Support Emergency Relief and Post Disaster Recovery for Quang Ninh One Stop Service Centre”. UNFPA will provide technical support to strengthen disaster preparedness and response capabilities at both local and national levels, thus ensuring that communities are better equipped to handle gender-based violenceemergencies.
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| UNFPA Representative in Vietnam Matt Jackson. (Photo: Thu Trang) |
In his address at the launch of the two new projects, UNFPA Representative in Vietnam Matt Jackson stressed: “The two new KOICA-funded projects aim to strengthen gender-based violence response efforts and to ensure uninterrupted support for survivors in Vietnam. This support is timely and crucial, especially as Vietnam continues to recover from widespread devastation caused by Typhoon Yagi last year. Importantly, these new projects provide opportunities for Vietnam to learn from international expertise and best practices to enhance effective prevention and response to gender-based violence.”
These projects also support the implementation of Vietnam’s National Programme on Gender-based violence prevention and response (2021-2025); the Strategy on gender equality (2021-2030) and the amended Law on domestic violence prevention and control, which was adopted by the National Assembly in November 2022. They align with Vietnam’s commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 on gender equality.
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| The initiative will prioritise marginalised groups including individuals living with disabilities and LGBTQI+ communities. (Photo: Thu Trang) |
On his part, KOICA Country Director in Vietnam Lee Byung Hwa highlighted the significance of KOICA’s funds to UNFPA.
"These projects serve as a testament to the power of collaboration. The partnership between KOICA, UNFPA, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and our dedicated partners in Quang Ninh, Ha Tinh and Khanh Hoa plays a crucial role in the success of this project. I strongly believe that these joint efforts will foster a safe and equitable society for all women and girls in Vietnam. Let's join hands to break the cycle of violence, empower survivors and to build a future where every woman and girl can reach her full potential. KOICA is committed to supporting the realization of this future”, he stressed.
Ending violence against women and girls requires sustained effort, commitment and partnership. UNFPA and KOICA commit to working together toward a future where all women and children in Vietnam, including the most vulnerable, can live free from violence, ensuring that no one is left behind.
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| Participants in launching ceremony projects on promoting replication of a model in preventing and responding to violence against women and girls in Vietnam on January 13, in Hanoi. (Photo: Thu Trang) |
