The Vietnam Farmers' Union (VFU) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have launched a US$7-million project to support Vietnam in addressing gender-based violence, harmful practices, and gender inequality and to promote women's rights.

The project, named “Prevention and response to gender-based violence and other harmful practices”, will be conducted in Hanoi, the central coast city of Danang, the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) province of Lam Dong, and the central province of Thanh Hoa. It aims at developing, amending, and implementing programs, policies, and laws, and using evidence and a human rights-based approach.

VFU’s Vice Chairman Nguyen Xuan Dinh appreciates UNFPA’s technical support over the past years. Photo: Thu Ha

Addressing the launching ceremony, VFU’s Vice Chairman Nguyen Xuan Dinh highly valued UNFPA’s technical support over the past years, especially in establishing the toll-free hotlines and providing care and support for rural women at risk of violence.

“The project will be our contributions to addressing gender-based violence against women and girls in Vietnam. We pledge to implement the project in the most innovative and efficient manner to meet the need of Vietnamese women and girls, and ensure their safety while addressing harmful social norms and practices resulting from gender prejudices, which are the core roots of gender-based violence,” Dinh said.

Stressing that violence against women is one of the most common violations of human rights existing in many countries around the world, including Vietnam, UNFPA Representative for Vietnam Naomi Kitahara said that the agency will support the VFU to come up with innovative initiatives for digital application in order to promote change in social perception, and behavior.

UNFPA Representative for Vietnam Naomi Kitahara speaks at the launching ceremony. Photo: Thu Ha

“Addressing gender-based violence and harmful practices is one of the three main pillars in the new UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2022-2025, and a clear priority for UNFPA Vietnam’s new country program 2022-2026. UNFPA will scale up efforts to end gender-based violence and harmful practices in Vietnam,” Kitahara said.

The representative added that UNFPA will also assist in mobilizing men and boys to engage in solving problems and building healthy and non-violent relationships.

“The project will also support advocacy and advice in amending the Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control, and Gender Equality Law. It is in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Vietnam to fulfill the transformative promise of leaving no one behind,” Kitahara emphasized.