Seminar launches activities for ASEAN women, children’s rights

Co-hosted by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) and the Vietnam Association for Protection of Children’s Rights in the city, the event aimed to introduce relevant activities held in Vietnam and discuss joint work to protect women and children’s rights in the near future. 

Over the past decade, the committee has actively fulfilled set targets, contributing to promoting social welfare as well as women and children’s involvement in the region. 

Between 2016 and 2020, ASEAN member states have fulfilled action plans on the back of the past achievements as well as devising new initiatives in line with the regional action plan on eliminating violence against women and children in the bloc. 

Speaking at the event, deputy head of the MoLISA’s Department of International Cooperation Ha Thi Minh Duc said during the 2016-2020 period, the committee will conduct three projects on the promotion of sustainable integration of the ASEAN Community by ensuring legal status of regional women and children; regional dialogues on children bully in Ho Chi Minh City at schools or online; and sexual child abuse: law and enforcement. 

Nguyen Thi Thanh, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Association for Protection of Children’s Rights lauded positive achievements in care services for children, adding that the number of children enjoying public services in health care, education and entertainment is increasing. 

The association has also launched a hotline 18009069, offered timely consultation and legal assistance in children-related issues. 

Grace Agcaoili, a UNICEF expert on children rights’ protection, looked into social issues directly impacting women and children, especially child abuse. The economic loss caused by child abuse in East Asia and the Pacific is estimated at US$206 billion, or some 2% of the regional gross domestic product. 

She called for launching specific strategies to mitigate impact of violence against children and women.