Launch of the National Action Month for Gender Equality & Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response 2024

• Excellency, Mr. Dao Ngoc Dzung, Minister, Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Chairperson of the National Committee for the Advancement of Women;
• Lieutenant General Le Van Tuyen, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Public Security;
• Madam Nguyen Thi Ha, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Vice Chairperson of the National Committee for the Advancement of Women;
• Madam Do Thi Thu Thao, Permanent Vice President, Viet Nam Women’s Union;
• Representatives from line ministries and provinces;
• Ambassadors and representatives of the diplomatic community;
• Representatives from NGOs, other development partners and community-based organizations;
• Representatives from the private sector;
• Media Representatives;
• Distinguished guests,

It is an honour to join the inauguration of the 2024 National Action Month on Gender Equality and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response. This is our 9th year. We especially appreciate the support of the Government of Australia under the joint programme on Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children in Viet Nam 2021-2025. 

Viet Nam’s national action month coincides with the global 16 Days of Activism, which runs from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day. These dates serve as a powerful reminder that violence against women and girls is a grave violation of human rights. It reminds us of the essential collective action needed to eradicate it.

Viet Nam has a strong legal framework in place for the protection of women and children’s rights, for the promotion of gender equality, on domestic violence prevention and control, and on prevention of trafficking in persons. This is the starting point.

Within the National Strategy on Gender Equality Viet Nam, the police form a critical pillar in the fight against discrimination and all forms of violence. With a leading role to investigate, police are also mandated to actively prevent such occurrences through community engagement and education.

I therefore welcome the engagement of the Ministry of Public Security in co-organizing this year’s event. MPS is a key player in ensuring the protection and fulfilment of women and children’s rights.

There is an urgent need to bolster our systems to be more supportive of victims of violence to seek help. Since 2019, the National Survey on Violence Against Women revealed that many women prefer to remain silent or keep it within the family. Less than 5% (or only 4.8 percent) of women surveyed turned to the police for assistance. This is where we need to come together.  

The United Nations is contributing to build capacity of the Vietnamese police in handling cases with sensitivity. For example, in ensuring that police investigations are child-friendly, victim-friendly, gender-sensitive as well as gender responsive. Concretely, 53 child-friendly investigation rooms have been introduced, with a target to cover all 63 provinces by the end of the year. Rapid taskforce teams have also been established to respond to domestic violence at local level. Together, we have ensured that the police are fully equipped and trained to instil confidence and safety in women and children in reporting cases; and in seeking help from the authorities. 

While we celebrate our progress, together with partners, the United Nations commits to do better in 4 areas:

One, establishing a dedicated specialised police unit, with adequately trained female and male staff to handle cases of violence against women and children.

Two, expanding training to all police officers, at both in-service and pre-service levels. 

Three, enhancing coordination for better access to critical services in health care and legal aid, as well as to social workers and community organizations.

Four, improving public awareness about gender-based violence and creating channels for reporting incidents safely and anonymously.

Our commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and the National Action Month is fully aligned with global advocacy centred on moving: "Towards 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: UNITE to End Violence Against Women."

I take this opportunity to commend the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MOLISA) for its leadership in the national review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The Beijing Declaration remains the most comprehensive political commitment to women’s rights. Viet Nam’s national report shows us progress made in advancing gender equality. It also shares Viet Nam’s lessons in translating its legal and policy commitments into tangible results.

The United Nations reaffirms support to the government in addressing the challenges also outlined in its report. We take note of the need to:

• Advocate for increased allocation of human, technical and financial resources required for implementation of policies and laws 
• Mobilize whole of society to address gender-based violence, domestic violence and trafficking in persons. 
• Improve capacities for the collection, analysis and use of gender disaggregated data

In 2025, we celebrate the 30-year milestone of implementing the Beijing Declaration. Let us amplify the message that there is #NoExcuse for violence against women and girls. Together, we can create a safer and more equitable society for all.

Xin cam on!