Vietnam Women's Union organizes communication campaign to prevent and combat human trafficking at Vietnam – Laos border

Attending the ceremony were Ms. Bui Thi Hoa - VWU Vice President, Mr. Thai Vinh Lieu - Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Mr. Nguyen Duc Chinh - Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Chairman of the Provincial Steering Committee for HIV/AIDS, Drugs and Prostitution Prevention and Control and for the Mass Movement for the national security protection, and nearly 1,000 VWU staff, members and residents of Huong Hoa district.

Vietnam and Laos share a border running along 10 provinces of each side, with international, main and auxiliary border gates, and hundreds of trails across the border between the two countries.

Over the past years, being aware of the danger and serious consequences of human trafficking, leaders of Quang Tri province have drastically directed provincial departments and agencies to cooperate closely o­n preventing and combating human trafficking, thus contributing to fundamentally controlling over the situation of human trafficking in the province. However, this work is still facing a number of difficulties such as gaps in cooperation with foreign agencies in investigation and verification of cases, shortcomings in legal procedures related to investigation, verification and rescue of victims.

Speaking at the ceremony, VWU Vice President Ms. Bui Thi Hoa said “The VWU, Quang Tri Provincial Women’s Union and related agencies in the province have paid special attention to preventing and fighting against human trafficking…”. She requested authorities and sectors of different levels in Quang Tri province to cooperate closely, in the future, with Lao provinces along Vietnam-Laos border to enhance communication to people of different strata, especially women and children at high risk; to continue promoting vocational training and job creation for young women; to assist families in difficulties; to strengthen domestic violence prevention and control and promote gender equality; to engage the whole political system, social organizations, non-governmental organizations and community in preventing and combating human trafficking.

To make greater contribution to preventing and combating human trafficking, thus joining hands in ensuring local political security and stability, social safety and order, Quang Tri Provincial Women’s Union needs to continuously improve the material and spiritual life for people, combining the new rural development with poverty eradication, focusing o­n hot spots with high risk, o­n women, particularly ethnic minority women and those in areas of socio-economic difficulties.

The launching ceremony was followed with a parade o­n roads of Lao Bao town, Huong Hoa district in response to the campaign./.