Eliminating and preventing violence against women
(VOV) - Vietnam has demonstrated its ongoing strong political commitment to the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women.
The United Nations (UN) in Vietnam and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) organised a policy dialogue on gender equality to commemorate the 2013 International Women’s Day, in Hanoi on February 28.
The event’s theme is “The Elimination and Prevention of All Forms of Violence against Women and Girls”.
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Opening the event, Pham Thi Hai Chuyen, MOLISA Minister and Chairperson of the National Committee for the Advancement of Women in Vietnam, affirmed the government’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment through the further implementation of related gender equality policies and programmes.
The dialogue illustrates the Vietnamese government’s strong message and the breakthrough solutions for the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls as part of the 57th Session of the Commission of the Status of Women.
Ms. Pratibha Mehta, the UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, stressed that, “Violence against women has enormous economic cost. Every year, billions of dollars are spent on extra healthcare costs and lost productivity as a result of gender-based violence. We need laws and policies that promote a supportive environment for the realisation of all women’s rights”.
During the event, key milestones and remaining challenges relating to the recent implementation of the Gender Equality Law and the Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control were presented by representatives from MOLISA and the Women’s Union.
Key findings from the latest UN research on HIV/AIDS intimate partner transmission were presented, while representatives from several NGOs took the opportunity to share their experience of programmes to promote the rights of women in Vietnam.