The Hanoi People's Committee on November 15 held a launching ceremony of the action month for gender equality and violence prevention with the theme "Ending violence against women and children."

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Ngo Van Quy said that in recent years, the Hanoi government has promoted gender equality for the advancement of women.

Delegates respond to action month for gender equality and violence prevention. Photo: Oanh Tran

The targets to reduce gender gap in the fields of politics, economy, employment, education and training, health care services, family life, among others, exceeded the plan set out by the Hanoi government, Quy added.

However, the task still faces many challenges, the vice chairman said, adding that the rapid pace of urbanization has led to a large number of migrant workforce in the city. Thus, ensuring employment and social security conditions for migrant groups, including female workers, is a tough task.

Besides, the ratio of gender imbalance at birth is still high, violence against women and children is becoming increasingly complicated.

Quy asked relevant agencies to organize practical and effective activities to create communication effects throughout the society. In particular, activities at the community level, remote areas, regions with different ethnic minorities should be focused on.

Localities should diversify forms of training to raise gender awareness, gender equality, prevention and control of violence against women and children, Quy added.

He emphasized 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.

Moreover, it is necessary to strengthen interdisciplinary inspection of gender equality for the advancement of women in agencies, units and localities; and strictly handle violations, Quy said.