Vietnamese association in Malaysia helps protect women’s rights
VOV.VN - A ceremony was held in Kuala Lumpur on October 20 to mark the 10th founding anniversary of the women's union and the 8th anniversary of the Vietnamese language club in this Southeast Asian country.
The event co-hosted by the Malaysia-Vietnam Friendship Association (MVFA), and the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia captured the attention of thousands of Vietnamese women living and working in Malaysia, with a highlight being a forum on “Protecting the rights and legal interests of Vietnamese women and children in Malaysia.”
In her opening remarks, MVFA President Tran Thi Chang said that about 30% of more than 30,000 overseas Vietnamese people in the country are Vietnamese women married to local people.
Most of these women are hardworking and successful, making positive contributions to local society. However, many face unfortunate circumstances due to a lack of legal knowledge and language barriers.
When experiencing domestic violence, or being deceived, these women often suffer in silence or do not know how to protect their legal rights, thus MVFA invited lawyers and officials responsible for these issues in Malaysia to participate in the forum and address their questions.
It also gave an opportunity to raise awareness among the attendees, helping them feel more confident and better integrate into local society, Chang added.
Other issues including domestic violence, labour exploitation, and sexual abuse in the workplace were also touched upon at the forum.
According to Hirdawati Mohd Isa, the police chief responsible for women and children's protection, Vietnamese women facing such issues should report to the nearest police station to receive protection and support from Malaysia's legal authorities.
Vietnamese Ambassador Dinh Ngoc Linh hailed MVFA's initiative in launching the event, saying that it helped consolidate confidence and cohesion among women members and the Vietnamese community in Malaysia.
The diplomat said he hopes that MVFA will continue to enhance its role in social activities, stepping up connections and building a sustainable community while promoting gender equality.
He also affirmed that the embassy will always support and accompany MVFA as the Vietnamese community abroad is an integral part of the nation.
