A parade took place in Hanoi on November 24, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, in an effort to raise public awareness of gender equality.

Addressing the event, National Assembly Deputy Chairman Uong Chu Luu applauded the initiative of the Vietnam Farmers’ Union, the Vietnam Women Union and the UN Population Fund, the event’s organisers.

He noted that Vietnam has completed a legal framework on gender equality and domestic violence prevention and handling.

The introduction of the 2006 Law on Gender Equality and 2007 Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control has created an important legal foundation to preserve the rights and interests of family members, especially the elderly, children and women who are vulnerable to domestic violence, he said.

However, he admitted that shortcomings remain in the prevention and handling of violence against women and girls in Vietnam.

He urged relevant ministries, agencies and socio-politic organisations to coordinate with each other more closely to strengthen the enforcement of law on the work.

He commented that more effort should be made to enhance the efficiency of communications, education and mobilisation activities to raise awareness of gender equality and implementation of the Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control, striving to completely eliminate violence against women and girls.

The senior legislator thanked UN agencies and other international organisations for assistance to Vietnam in the fight against violence against women and girls.

Meanwhile, UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pratibha Mehta pledged to join hands with the Vietnamese Government in erasing this violence, ensuring that they are empowered to raise their own voices.

President of the Vietnam Farmers’ Union Nguyen Quoc Cuong said as a socio-politic organisation for the legitimate interests of Vietnamese farmers accounting for nearly 70 percent of the country’s population, the union commits to exerting efforts to improve its members’ responsibility in the field.

President of the Vietnam Women’s Union Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa also vowed to continue educating, mobilising and supporting women and helping to enhance their awareness and knowledge of the Gender Equality Law and Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control.-VNA