Improving the awareness and capacity for women and girls in responding to challenges in cyberspace

The workshop discussed cyber threats toward women and girls and equipped them with the knowledge and resilience needed to effectively navigate and respond to these cyber threats.

This workshop also marks the start of implementing Viet Nam's first National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS). One of the tasks and solutions identifies by the NAP is to “Enhance the effectiveness of prevention and response to gender-based violence (including technology-facilitated violence), meet specific needs, and promote meaningful participation of women in addressing war consequences, and in the prevention, control, handling, and response to incidents, disasters, and non-traditional security challenges.” The workshop took the lead in implementing activity number II.2.e of the NAP: "Raise awareness and capacity for women and girls in responding to cyberspace challenges."

The workshop was attended by leaders from the Department of Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention, the Party and Political Work Department, the Ninh Bình Provincial Police, representatives from functional units of MPS, the Central Vietnam Women's Union, MPS’s Women's Union, and representatives from 24 Northern provinces and various related departments.

Notably, experts from the Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention, MPS’s Women's Union and UN Women also engaged in discussions with students, teachers, and staff of Luong Van Tuy High School in Ninh Bình, encouraging critical dialogue on these urgent issues.

“The digital ecosystem grows, so do the challenges it presents. The rise of cybercrime, cyberattacks, and cyber harassments and violence poses a constant threat to individuals, organizations, and even the peace and stability of nations. The need to ensure the protection of vulnerable groups, especially women and girls, against those security issues is also becoming more urgent and demanding”. Said Ms. Gaelle Demolis, Governance, Peace and Security Policy and Programme Specialist, UN Women Regional Office, Asia and the Pacific. 

Lieutenant Colonel Trieu Manh Tung, Deputy Director of the Department of Cyber ​​Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention and Control - Ministry of Public Security, assessed: The workshop is one of the practical actions in the Ministry of Public Security's Plan to advocate and implement the "Preventing and combating criminal activities in cyberspace" campaign under the direction of the Prime Minister on mobilizing the combined strength of the entire political system, in all sectors, branches, levels, organizations, businesses, and with all people to fight against cybercrimes. The workshop facilitates a dialogue between leaders, cybersecurity experts, party committee leaders, local authorities, Women's Union officials at all levels and advocates. It raises awareness and capacity for women and girls to respond to cyber challenges, and also build and replicate good models and practices in supporting women to respond to challenges in cyberspace. 

Major General Ngo Hoai Thu, Deputy Director of the Department of Party and Political Work - Ministry of Public Security, and Head of the Women's Department, believes that with the continued advocacy and practical guidance from Vietnam Women’s Union members, the impact and effectiveness of this workshop will be extended and widely spread, especially among students.

For media inquiries and further information, please contact:

Ms. Hoang Thao

Communications and Advocacy Analyst, UN Women Viet Nam

hoang.thao@unwomen.org