Joining Hands to end Violence Against Women and Girls

Attending the meeting were National Assembly Deputy Chairman Uong Chu Luu, VWU’s President Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa, President of the Farmers’ Union Nguyen Quoc Cuong, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Vietnam Pratibha Mehta and numerous representatives of the National Assembly, ministries, sectors and branches, mass organizations, Ha Noi City, Hai Duong Province, international organizations, civil society organizations and nearly 1,000 members of the Vietnam Women’s Union, Farmers’ Unions and the youth force in Hanoi.

Speaking at the meeting, National Assembly Deputy Chairman Uong Chu Luu stated that domestic violence is a pressing issue in every country, including Vietnam. It is a popular form of violence against women and girls and causes the risk of breakdown and reduces the stability of family and society, leaving heavy consequences which impact negatively o­n the social-economic life. More seriously, domestic violence is a violation of human rights, honor, dignity, health and lives of individuals, causing erosion of ethics and adversely affecting future generations. Vietnam has built a legal framework for gender equality and domestic violence prevention and control, which is relatively complete and progressive compared to many countries around the world. Mr. Uong Chu Luu highly appreciated the efforts of ministries, sectors & branches, local agencies, mass organizations, socio-political organizations, social organizations in bringing laws o­n gender equality and domestic violence prevention and control to life, reducing violence against women and girls. Vice Chairman of the National Assembly also indicated that effectiveness of prevention and control of violence against women and girls is not high; the diversity, complexity and popularity of domestic violence make this work more difficult. He requested relevant ministries, sectors and branches, socio-political organizations to closely coordinate, promote enforcement of legislations o­n gender equality and prevention of domestic violence; strengthen the information, communication, education (IEC) for awareness raising o­n gender equality in order to change violent behaviors in the society, motivating individuals, especially men to implement the law o­n domestic violence prevention and control, striving for eradication ofviolence against women and girls.

In her speech showing VWU’s commitments to join hands to "end violence against women and girls", VWU’s President Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa said, in recent years, the VWU focused o­n directing WUs at all levels to organize practical activities aimed at raising awareness of staff, members and women o­n prevention and control of violence, especially violence against women and girls. "Family without violence" is o­ne of criteria of the campaign "Building the family with 5 Without-s and 3 Clean-s"; VWU’s models of "community-based trusted addresses", "Peace House", shelters have contributed to support victims of domestic violence effectively. President Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa committed, in time to come, VWU would continue to direct WUs at all levels to promote the IEC and support to improve women’s awareness and knowledge, to enhance their roles and status in society. Besides, WU at all levels will also carry out IEC activities and mobilize WU staff, members, women and community members to seriously implement the Law o­n Gender Equality, Law o­n Domestic Violence Prevention and Control, and to implement effectively the campaign "Building the family of 5 Without-s and 3 Clean-s" and call society, communities, especially men for joining hands to prevent violence against women and girls with the determination to make commitments become practical actions.

After the meeting, participants joined the street parade to express their determination and efforts to end violence against women and girls.

Overview of the meeting