Opening every door: A united call to support survivors of gender-based violence in Southeast Asia
WVR - Joint opinion editorial by Mr Matthew Jackson, Dr. Julitta Onabanjo and Dr. Bakhtiyor Kadyrov - UNFPA Representatives in Vietnam, Thailand and Laos, about addressing gender-based violence in Southeast Asia.
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| UNFPA Representatives in Vietnam Matt Jackson. (Source: UNFPA) |
In Southeast Asia, deeply ingrained traditional gender norms often designate women and girls as primary caretakers, leading to a stark gender imbalance in both household responsibilities and societal roles. This deeply embedded gender bias, along with the uneven distribution of unpaid care work, exacerbates the challenges women face, often trapping them in abusive situations and perpetuating a cycle of inequality and economic dependence. Over time, women's autonomy and decision-making power are eroded, increasing the risk of domestic violence - a global crisis hidden in plain sight.
The Governments of Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, supported by UNFPA and partners including UN Women, UNDP ,WHO, UNODC, the Government of the Republic of Korea through KOICA, Australia (DFAT), and Japan, have made significant strides in combating gender-based violence, through the implementation of the Essential Services Package for Women and Girls Subject to Violence (the ESP) - the global gold standard in institutional responses to GBV.
Across the three ASEAN countries, comprehensive support systems like One Stop Service or Crisis Centers have been established in hospitals or within the social sector, and harmonised Standard Operating Procedures have been developed covering health, social, justice and police sectors, as well as efforts to strengthen national hotlines for survivors.
In addition, the ongoing integration of services into Thailand's Universal Health Coverage system is a promising step towards ensuring that all survivors receive the support they need without financial barriers.
The remarkable progress achieved in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand is a testament to the strong commitment by the Governments and the systematic application of South-South triangular cooperation. This approach has proven to be a powerful model in addressing gender-based violence through the sharing of knowledge, resources, and innovative practices.
The collaboration among these three countries embodies the spirit of ASEAN, including cohosting a side event at the recent 68th Commission on the Status of Women, in-person and virtual study exchanges, joint site visits, and cross-border collaborations for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based violence, which is marked globally, every year.
This week, during the 3rd ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit titled “Strengthening the Care Economy Towards the ASEAN Community Post-2025,” Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand, will join forces once again in a side event titled: “No Wrong Door”: Sharing good practices on GBV response coordination, protection, social services, referral pathways and health system response”. Together, they will offer, to over 200 participants practical recommendations based on their success in implementing standard operating procedures that align with international standards to ensure survivors of violence receive the essential care and support they need, and to fortify institutions at both national and sub-national levels.
| The lessons from Vietnam, Laos and Thailand are clear: ● There should be "No Wrong Door" for survivors of violence to find the help they need, wherever they turn. ● Integration of the essential services package into national-level laws and policies is critical to guide effective implementation. ● Addressing gender-based violence requires a holistic and multi-sectoral approach that simultaneously challenges the underlying gender norms and structures that perpetuate violence. ● It is not enough to provide services; we must also work to change social norms, ensuring that survivors are supported in the aftermath of violence and are empowered to prevent it from happening. A foundational step in preventing gender-based violence lies in recognizing and valuing the vital role of care work, coupled with a conscious effort to redistribute these responsibilities more equitably. This entails 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 commitment of Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand to the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda (SDGs) has played a pivotal role in advancing the pledge to end GBV and promoting gender equality. By emphasising the interconnection between population dynamics, human rights, and sustainable development, these three countries have laid the foundation for policies and programmes that address the root causes of gender-based violence and empower women and girls. This is a crucial step towards achieving shared goals of peace, prosperity, and social justice.
As we continue to build on the ICPD's legacy 30 years on, it is essential to maintain a relentless focus on ending gender-based violence, not least as the cost of inaction is too high not only in economic terms but in the continued suffering of countless women and girls in ASEAN countries and around the world. When we work together, joining forces across borders, we can break the cycle of violence and ensure that any door a survivor walks through seeking help be it a hospital, a shelter, or a police station is the right one.
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| A workshop was held in Hanoi to share experiences in the operation and replication of One Stop Service Centres in support of women and girls subjected to violence in Vietnam, on May 25,2023. (Source: UNFPA) |
