Vietnam holds gender equality action month

Results of a study by the World Health Organization in 2013 show that 35% of women and girls worldwide have experienced some form of physical or sexual violence at least once in their lives.

Currently in Vietnam, ensuring gender equality action between men and women is facing many challenges. Figures of national surveys on domestic violence against women in 2010 showed that 34% of ever-married women said they had been abused physically and sexually by their husbands, 58% said they had experienced at least one of the three forms: physical, mental and sexual violence.

The most concerning issue is the abuse, harm and violence against children, especially girls. This situation still remains complicated, annoying the whole society. There are about 1,000 cases of sexual abuses of girls every year. In addition, girls are also victims of domestic violence, and potential subjects to human trafficking and social violence.

Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs has launched the gender equality and violence prevention action month in 2016 under the theme "Together eliminating violence against women and girls". This is the first year the gender equality and violence prevention action month has been organized in Vietnam.

The ceremony will take place on November 13th in Hanoi, and the Month will run from November 15th till December 15th. The Gender Equality Action Month will have many activities to mobilize organizations, communities and people, especially men to practice gender equality and prevent violence against women and girls.