A wide range of activities will be held in Hanoi in November in response to the national action month for gender quality and gender-based violence prevention, recently launched by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA).

Under the theme "Ensuring Social Security, Empowering Women and Girls to Achieve Gender Equality, and Eliminating Gender-Based Violence against Women and Girls", the Action Month reaffirms the priorities and commitments of cities and provinces nationwide to promote practical progress in this area.

Hanoi will focus on supporting victims of gender-based violence and disseminating communication on gender equality.

The Hanoi Women's Union underlined the need to mobilize resources to implement activities in response to the action month, expand communication activities and support the victims, especially women and children.

The union worked with local agencies to conduct training activities to sensitize members and women on the prevention of domestic violence and abuse against women and children.

Participants at the launch of action month against violence against women and girls in Hanoi in 2022. Photo: Thuy Tien/The Hanoi Times

In Hanoi, many models have been developed to build happy families, prevent violence, encourage men to share household chores with women, and many positive and effective activities have been achieved, according to the union.

However, the task still faces many challenges, and rapid urbanization has led to a large number of migrant workers in the city. Therefore, ensuring employment and social security conditions for migrant groups, including women workers, is an arduous task.

The Hanoi authorities will strengthen the interdisciplinary inspection to enforce gender equality for the advancement of women in the workplace and strictly deal with violations.

The Hanoi People's Court reported that over the past three years, it has handled nearly 300 cases involving sexual abuse of children, convicting more than 310 accused.

Vietnam's strong efforts

On November 10, MoLISA, in coordination with Vietnam Airlines Corporation and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) in Vietnam, held a ceremony to launch the action month.

A series of activities will take place during the Action Month, including press awards on gender equality, conferences, seminars, policy dialogues, social media communication, parades, street music events, painting and photo exhibits, and more.

According to Vice Minister of MoLISA Nguyen Thi Ha, Vietnam has made great efforts in the past to ensure social welfare, promote gender equality, and prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

"Authorities at all levels have been asked to focus on communication activities to raise awareness among organizations and people about gender equality, and to actively take concrete and practical measures to build an equal society free from violence and abuse against women and girls," Ha said.

She cited data showing that in Vietnam, two out of three married women (nearly 63%) have experienced one or more forms of intimate partner violence in their lifetime. "The National Action Month is an opportunity for all stakeholders and citizens to take practical steps to eliminate gender-based discrimination and violence," Ha added.

She appreciated the UN's commitment to continue supporting Vietnam in promoting gender equality, eradicating discrimination and gender-based violence, and achieving the UN  Sustainable Development Goals.  

The Deputy Minister noted that to address gender inequality in Vietnam, in addition to policies and programs to ensure social security, long-term communication efforts should be implemented more regularly and effectively to change gender bias, which is quite common in all aspects of social life.

"There would be no gender equality without men's participation in domestic work and an end to violence against women and girls," Ha stressed.