Students at Van Ho Junior Secondary School take part in a competition on preventing gender violence. (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan has called on relevant ministries and agencies to make concerted efforts to minimise violence against women and girls, which is relatively common in Vietnamese society.
In the meeting in Hanoi on December 8, in response to a 16-day mission for an end to violence against women and girls from November 25 to December 10, Doan emphasised that violence, especially against women and girls, is a common issue not only in Vietnam but also in many other countries.
It has been a threat to women and a big obstacle to efforts on ensuring gender equality in society, but it is not easy to overcome it, she said.
The Vice President recommended that people condemn all violent behaviours, and create equality in employment and family life.
She also emphasised that Vietnam has always paid attention to the implementation of measures on gender equality and ensuring social welfare to achieve sustainable development goals.
The protection of human rights, including women’s rights and gender equality, is stated in the Constitution and the system of legal documents and many national goal programmes have been implemented, drawing the participation of ministries and agencies, as well as support from international organisations.
Women currently make up 48.4 percent of the labour workfource, 24.4 percent of National Assembly members and 25 percent of businesspeople.
Vietnam has been judged as a bright point by the UN in the implementation of the Millennial Goals Programme on poverty alleviation and gender equality.
In fulfilling international commitments on gender equality and fighting violence against women and girls, the country has issued many policies and laws, and instructed local governments to implement those documents.
The Vice President asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications and other relevant ministries, social organisations and agencies to boost public communications, education and awareness campaigns.
The Vietnam Association of Famers was asked to implement specific activities to raise awareness among its members on violence against women and girls, especially in rural and mountainous areas.
She said she hopes the UN Population Fund and international organisations continue giving support and coordinating with Vietnam to implement international conventions on violence against women and girls.-VNA
