Message on the need to work together to create safer societies for women and girls in Vietnam: UNFPA
WVR - On a visit to Vietnam recently, UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Pio Smith highlighted the need to work together to create safer societies for women and girls in Vietnam.
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| UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Pio Smith highlighted the need to work together to create safer societies for women and girls in Vietnam. (Source: UNFPA) |
Over the past four decades, the Government of Vietnam, in collaboration with UNFPA, has made positive strides to address violence against women and girls, as well as to enhance support services to survivors.
Yet, challenges remain. Nearly 2 out of 3 women have experienced at least one form of violence by their husbands or intimate partners during their lifetime, according to the 2019 National Study on Violence Against Women in Vietnam. The findings also revealed that over 90 percent of women never seek help from local service providers or the authorities.
On a visit to Hanoi, UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Pio Smith highlighted this issue during his engagements with the Government of Vietnam, the international community, and partners on the ground, reaffirming UNFPA’s unwavering commitment to working together in addressing gender-based violence in Viet Nam.
Mr. Smith also emphasized the importance of integrated, multi-sectoral approaches to addressing gender-based violence, including through the expansion of Anh Duong One-Stop Service Centers (OSSCs) across Vietnam. These centers provide a comprehensive suite of services - medical, psychological, and legal support - to survivors of violence in a safe, confidential setting. So far, four Anh Duong centers have been established with UNFPA’s support, with plans underway to expand the initiative further to reach more women and girls in need.
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| UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Director Pio Smith and Ms. Hoang Thi Thanh Nga, Deputy Director-General, Department for International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam. (Source: UNFPA) |
Recognizing the progress made in recent years towards eliminating gender-based violence in Vietnam, Mr. Smith said: "Much work has been done over the last four decades to end violence against women and girls in Vietnam, and it is clear that investing in gender equality and tackling violence is not just a moral obligation, but also an economic imperative. Reducing violence against women and girls can boost productivity and improve the well-being of future generations. UNFPA is committed to continuing our support to the Government of Viet Nam and our partners in building a safer and equitable society for all.”
The Regional Director’s visit also comes at a crucial time following Typhoon Yagi, which hit Vietnam last month and affected vulnerable communities, increasing risks of violence against women and girls. UNFPA will provide more than 1,800 dignity kits to Vietnam's Farmers Union, which will reach women in the Northern provinces of Vietnam.
The visit reaffirms UNFPA’s long-standing partnership with Vietnam and commitment to working with partners on the ground in promoting gender equality and safeguarding the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all individuals.
