Illustrative image (Photo: nhandan.com) Hanoi (VNA) - Experts and representatives of relevant agencies attending a workshop on October 8 sought ways to upgrade toilets in public places in HCM City to make them safe and friendly for women and girls.
The workshop on gender-responsive budgeting in infrastructure upgrading was jointly held by the municipal Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and the People’s Committee of HCM City’s District 10.
A study by the Department and UN Women revealed that toilets in parks, restaurants, bars, and pubs in HCM City pose risks of sexual harassment and violence against women and girls.
Tran Thi Kim Thanh, head of the Department’s Office of Child Protection, Care and Gender Equality, said standards regarding the safety of women and girls had not been taken into account during the construction of the toilets.
Therefore, she stressed, gender integration in planning and budget use is essential, especially ensuring the safety and friendliness of facilities for women and girls.
Participants agreed to prioritise upgrading toilets at schools and traditional markets in District 10.
According to UN Women, HCM City is one of the first localities in Vietnam to commit to promoting and implementing gender-responsive budgeting.
Since 2015, with technical assistance from UN Women Vietnam, commitments made by the southern city have been materialised through numerous activities./.
VNA
