The results of a study on gender-based violence against prostitutes in the capital and experience in dealing with this issue were discussed at a December 15 seminar in Hanoi, co-hosted by the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs and the Plan International.
The capital city is currently home to around 3,000 prostitutes, mainly migrants from other localities with low educational standard, according to the study, conducted by the Institute for Social Development Studies,
Most of the prostitutes, aged from under 18 to 50, are victims of human trafficking, domestic violence and sexual abuse, it reported.Participants underscored the need to establish a mechanism and a hotline for prostitute to voice violence-related issues facing them, and provide them with knowledge about law, human rights, and violence prevention through training courses.
They suggested research agencies and non-Governmental organisations continue collecting evidence and documents for the building of interference programmes to protect prostitutes’ rights, while intensfiying community-based organisations to improve their livelihoods.
