Unite Campaign to end violence against women and girls in Viet Nam

Ha Noi, 25 November 2011- The Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism, the Viet Nam Women’s Union and the United Nations in Viet Nam co-organized a policy dialogue in Ha Noi o­n 23 November o­n “Strengthening Responses to Violence against Women in Viet Nam” to commemorate the 2011 International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women, observed each year o­n 25 November. This event received great attention from Government organizations, political and social organizations, civil society, United Nations agencies, embassies, international development organizations and international and national media agencies.

The policy dialogue was part of a series of events taking place throughout November as part of the global UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in all parts of the world by 2015. 

This is the first time Viet Nam has participated in the UNiTE campaign, which was launched by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2008. The campaign aims to accelerate progress by mobilizing governments, civil society, young people, the private sector and UN agencies to stand together to urgently end this global pandemic. In a statement for 25 November, Mr. Ban Ki-moon said: “We must unite. Violence against women must not be tolerated, in any form, in any context, in any circumstance. There can be no exceptions, no excuses, and no delay.”

The opening speech of the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism stressed that domestic violence is a violation of equal rights between women and men, as well as a violation of the Convention o­n the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) which Viet Nam was o­ne of first countries to sign. In the coming years, the work o­n protection and prevention of domestic violence will further implemented in the country’s socio-economic development policies and programmes, especially in the Viet Nam Family Development Strategy 2011-2020 and Vision to 2030 and the National Action Plan o­n Domestic Violence Prevention and Control, with detailed objectives, solutions and responsibilities of related government ministries and departments under the coordination of the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism.

Speaking at the dialogue, United Nations Resident Coordinator Ms. Pratibha Mehta said: “Now is the time to act. Ending violence is in our hands. We need to work together to ensure that the women of Viet Nam are empowered to step up, speak out, and that Vietnamese men join their voices to end violence against women o­nce and for all.”

During the dialogue, the Women’s Union reaffirmed their role as the organization representing women’s rights, particularly for those who suffer violence. The Viet Nam Women’s Union at all levels continues to provide support to victims, raising awareness in the community, especially men’s awareness to prevent domestic violence. 

Representatives of UNAIDS and UN Women also released research findings o­n the linkage between HIV and domestic violence, based o­n the Domestic Violence Study conducted by the General Statistics Office in 2010.

 There was also a presentation from a NGO network working o­n prevention and responses to domestic violence against women (DOVIPNET) o­n the experience of civil society to address domestic violence and support for victims. 

Participants at the policy dialogue were encouraged to become personally involved by writing down a pledge to take action to end violence against women and girls in Viet Nam. 

Both the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the United Nations are committed to working together under the framework of the UNiTE Campaign to eliminate violence against women and girls in Viet Nam.

 
Source: UN Vietnam