Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnam Farmers' Union (VFU) and the UnitedNations Population Fund (UNFPA) on May 31 launched a 7-million-USD projectto prevent, combat and respond to violence and other harmful behaviours in the 2022– 2026 period.
The project is part of the 10th country programme for Vietnam funded by UNFPA in the 2022 – 2026period.
Asa coordinator of the project, the VFU’sCentral Committee will closely coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sportsand Tourism, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), andthe Ministry of Health (MoH) to deploy it in Hanoi, Thanh Hoa, Da Nangand Lam Dong.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Vice Chairman of VFUNguyen Xuan Dinh thanked UNFPA for its technical support over the past years, saying he hopes the project will contribute to reducinggender-based violence against women and girls in Vietnam.
The VFU pledged to practically and effectively implement the project, towards meetingthe needs and ensuring the safety of Vietnamese women and girls, and ensuringsocial standards and preventing harmful acts and gender stereotypes - which arethe root causes of gender-based violence.
Emphasising that violence against women is one of the most common violations ofhuman rights existing in many countries around the world, including Vietnam, UNFPA Representative inVietnam Naomi Kitahara said within the framework of its 10th country programme for Vietnam, the agency will supportthe VFU to come up with innovative initiatives towards digital application inorder to promote change in social perception, and behaviour.
UNFPA willalso assist in mobilising men and boys to engage in solving problems and buildinghealthy and non-violent relationships, she said.
According to UNFPA, the project will support advocacy and advice on amendingthe Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control, and GenderEquality Law.
A survey supported by UNFPA in 2019 showed that nearly twoin three married women (almost 63 percent) have experienced one or more formsof physical, sexual, emotional and economic violence and controlling behavioursby their husbands in their lifetime. About 48 percent of victims did nottell anyone about the violence they endured, and 90.4 percent did not seek anyhelp from public services.
The survey also reflected a higher rate of violence againstwomen in rural areas than in urban areas./.
