Prostitution prevention programme launched

Hanoi (VNA) – The nationwide prostitution prevention programme for 2016-2020 was launched at a conference held by the National Committee for AIDS, Drugs and Prostitution Prevention and Control and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) in Hanoi on May 12.

At the conference, Nguyen Xuan Lap, Head of the MOLISA’s Social Evils Prevention Department, highlighted that the programme focuses on prevention measures while building mechanisms to protect human rights and enhancing access to the social security system for the disadvantaged groups such as sex workers and victims of human trafficking.

Participants proposed that relevant ministries and branches to promote education campaigns on prostitution prevention while increasing crackdowns on prostitution operations, among other measures.

According to report from 63 provinces and cities, there are 11,240 prostitutes on record nationwide, mostly in Red River Delta, North Central, South Eastern and Mekong Delta regions. However, the real number is believed to much higher.

Participants at the conference said that prostitution has been operated in more complicated ways with prostitutes seeking customers through social networks such as Facebook and Zalo.

Along with leaving negative impacts on society, prostitution has increased the risks of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Meanwhile, illegal drug trading as well as women and children trafficking are also on the rise.-VNA