Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative to Vietnam (Photo: VNA) In her statement, Flowers said UNICEF expressed itsdeep sadness and concern over the recent violent death of a young girl at thehands of someone who she should have been able to trust, to protect her. Sadly,the majority of abuse is perpetrated by someone known and trusted by thechild. Shrouded in silence, alone. Therising accounts of abuse of children, even greater during COVID-19 lockdowns,signal an urgent need for a strengthened approach.
A strengthened protection system – for women andchildren is urgently needed in Vietnam – a system that is staffed by trainedsocial workers, not volunteers, not non-trained welfare workers – but qualifiedprofessional staff – who can identify, intervene, respond and protect.
“Underpinned by the best interest of the child, byprotection of the women– not the perpetrator –a system that works together withtrained police, child-friendly judges and courts – and where a zero toleranceto violence is practice by all authorities, in all schools, across coremmunities,”she said.
“And it requires us all to do more, to take a stand toprotect those made vulnerable, to raise the awareness of women and childrenthat any form of violence is not acceptable and that reaching out for help tomake it stop is essential,” Flowers continued.
She said working with sister agencies, with thesupport of the Governments who inspire commitment and bring expertise andfunding, such as Australia, the EU and others, UNICEF supports the creation ofa coordinated protection system, but for this to secure change for the peoplewho need it most, to achieve the levels of awareness, accountability forprotection across Vietnam, an injection of Government resources and a revitalisedGovernment commitment is needed to create the kind of protection system thatexists in so many countries in this region, and the world./.
VNA
