UNFPA Vietnam calls for ending child marriage on Valentine Day

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Vietnam has called upon the community to take immediate actions to end child marriage on the occasion of Valentine Day (February 14).
UNFPA Vietnam calls for ending child marriage on Valentine Day ảnh 1Providing locals with information on child marriage. (Source: nhandan.com)
Hanoi (VNA) - The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Vietnam has called upon the community to take immediate actions to end child marriage on the occasion of Valentine Day (February 14).

According to the UNFPA, to end child marriage, many changes are needed, including strengthening and enforcing laws against the practice, promoting gender equality and ensuring the community’s commitment to the rights of girls.

However, young people must also be empowered to understand and claim their rights. This means they must be provided with accurate sexual and reproductive health information, educational and skills development opportunities, as well as platforms for participation and engagement in community and civic life.

According to the Survey measuring Vietnam Sustainable Development Goal indicators on Children and Women (SDGCW) 2020-2021, co-launched by the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the UNFPA in Vietnam, among women and men aged 20-24 surveyed, 14.6 percent of women and 1.9 percent of men were first married or in union before the age 18.

Rural women and men are much more likely to marry before age 15 and 18 than their urban peers. Marriage before age 18 among women aged 20-49 is negatively correlated with their education level and their household wealth quintile. Women who have lower education and come from poorer households are more likely to marry before their 18th birthday.

The incidence of early marriage was falling, per findings of a survey conducted by the EMPoWR project on 1,725 ethnic minority children across 17 communes of six districts in Ha Giang, Lai Chau, Quang Binh and Quang Tri in late 2020. However, only 28 percent of the respondents said they had been provided with knowledge on child marriage.

The survey indicated that 52 percent had a correct understanding of the legal minimum age for marriage. Many respondents misunderstood the age at which men are allowed to get married, while it was more common among the surveyed girls to feel the pressure of getting married to avoid becoming a “leftover” woman.

The “Enhancing awareness of ethnic minority children and young people on human trafficking and child marriage through digital technology” (EMPoWR) project is co-funded by the Delegation of the European Union and Plan International in Belgium./.
VNA

See more

About 90-100% of labourers in Bac Giang province come back to work after Tet holiday. (Photo: VNA)

Labour market to see changes in key industries

In order to make up for the shortages caused by resignations or job changes in the last months of the year, businesses typically hire extra employees. For job seekers, particularly those with specialised talents or experience, the labour market is now opening up a wide range of choices.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung (left) and head of the Vietnamese delegation Phan Thi Minh Giang at the conference. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam actively contributes to GCM review conference

Deputy Director of the Consular Department Phan Thi Minh Giang highlighted Vietnam’s achievements in three key areas: refining migration policies and laws, improving data collection, and enhancing international cooperation for safe and legal migration channels.

Many motorists now adhere to regulations voluntarily. (Photo: VNA)

Traffic violations decrease under Decree 168

A notable reduction has been recorded in the number of violations handled over the past month compared to the previous period, reflecting an increased sense of responsibility among road users.

Party General Secretary To Lam offers incence at the graves of martyrs at the Vi Xuyen national martyrs’ cemetery. in Ha Giang province on February 5. (Photo: VNA)

Party chief offers incense to martyrs in Ha Giang

Party General Secretary To Lam and his entourage observed a moment of silence, offering flowers and incense to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers at the Vi Xuyen national martyrs’ cemetery in the northern province of Ha Giang on February 5.

At a job fair in HCM City (Photo: VNA)

Job market to surge in 2025, technology and sustainability leading the way

TopCV predicts that roles such as software developers, data analysts and cybersecurity engineers will dominate the labour market in the technology sector, while manufacturing and logistics industries are expected to prioritise recruitment of automation engineers, supply chain managers and quality control specialists to optimise processes and integrate new technologies.

Thu Duc city covers an area of about 21,156ha. (Photo nongnghiep.vn)

HCM city’s urban area master plan approved

Thu Duc city will be an area leading the HCM City’s economy and other metropolitan areas through knowledge-based economic activities such as training, research, high-tech production and development cooperation.