A new joint project to address violence against women and children in Vietnam was launched on Wednesday by the Government of Australia and the United Nations agencies in Vietnam.
Participants in the launch say no to violence. Photo by the Australian Embassy in Vietnam
The project, which will be co-implemented by different ministries and agencies including the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Vietnam Women’s Union, will support ongoing efforts by the Vietnamese Government to strengthen the national prevention and response mechanisms to address violence against women and children in the context of Covid-19, and to ensure that all Vietnamese women and children, including those most vulnerable, can live a life free of violence.
The National Study on Domestic Violence against Women in Vietnam, conducted by the General Statistics Office in 2010, showed that 58 per cent of ever-married women had experienced at least one of the three forms of violence (physical, sexual or psychological) in their lifetime. Approximately 50 per cent of victims did not tell anyone about the violence they endured, and 87 per cent did not seek any help from public services.
According to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS5) in 2014, around two out of three children aged 1-14 years experienced some forms of violent discipline in the home. The Government of Vietnam reports over 2,000 cases of child abuse every year, of which 75 per cent are of sexual abuse.
A pre-existing crisis of violence against women and children has been exacerbated in the context of Covid-19. Recent reports have shown that restrictions in movement, social isolation and similar containment measures, coupled with existing or increased social and economic pressures and stress on families, have led to an increase in violence, particularly against women and children. In many countries it is estimated that such violence has increased by at least 30 per cent.
In Vietnam, the Peace House Hotline 1900 969 680 (a shelter run by the Vietnam Women’s Union) and the Sunshine Hotline 1800 1769 (as supported by UNFPA in Quang Ninh province in partnership with KOICA) have received twice as many calls for help over the past months compared to the same months in previous years. It has been reported that risks of physical abuse, sexual abuse and child sexual abuse and exploitation have increased substantially.
“Evidence shows that during crises and disasters, family and gender-based violence increases. During the Covid-19 pandemic, job losses and enforced home isolation have caused rates of violence against women and children to soar in countries around the world. Today, Australia pledges its support to the Government of Vietnam to secure greater safety for women and children in its Covid-19 response,” said Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Robyn Mudie .
Australia is providing AUD 2.5 million to support the project, which will be implemented over the next year. This is part of Australia’s AUD10.5 million contribution to support Vietnam’s response to Covid-19.
The project will raise public awareness – among women and girls, men and boys, parents/caregivers, children and adolescents - about the increased risks of violence in the home, quarantine centers and other institutions. Increased support for survivors of violence will be delivered in four cities and provinces of Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh city - the locations most affected by the Covid-19 over the past months.
“Ending violence against women and children should be a priority for everyone. There is no way for Vietnam to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals without addressing the issue of violence against women and children. We trust this new project will make a great leap forward to eliminate violence against women and girls in Vietnam,” UNFPA Representative in Vietnam Naomi Kitahara, said at the project launch.