National campaign addresses violence against women

A campaign was launched in Hanoi on November 18 in response to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (November 25).

A campaign was launched in response to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. (Source: VNA)

The one-month campaign is held by the United Nations in Vietnam in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and other relevant ministries to draw the attention of the public, especially men and boys, to ending violence against women and girls in the country.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, MCST Deputy Minister Huynh Vinh Ai affirmed the importance of the coordination among Government agencies, UN bodies in Vietnam and domestic and international organisations in eliminating violence against women.

As violence hinders economic development and increase poverty, Vietnam has developed a legal framework to deal with gender inequality and domestic violence, he noted.

UN Country Coordinator in Vietnam Pratibha Mehta said that both men and women must take the lead in gender equality and violence prevention.

A series of events such as seminars, exhibitions, parades, runs and flashmobs will be held in 12 cities and provinces nationwide during the campaign, which will run until December 16.

According to UN research, economic losses caused by domestic violence accounted for 1.5 percent of Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2012.

In 1999, the UN designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, inviting governments, international organisations and non-governmental organisations to launch awareness raising campaigns on the issue.

(Source: VNA)