Commemorative event of the National Action Month for Gender Equality & Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response 2023 in Dien Bien Province

Mr Vu A Bang, Vice Chair person of Dien Bien,

Mr. Rafiq Ahmed Mangi, Deputy project director, ACE project, World Vision in Viet Nam,

Representatives from line departments, organizations of Dien

Bien Province,

Distinguished guests,

I am very happy to join you in commemorating the end of this year’s National Action Month.

Being here is part of my learning journey to understand Viet Nam – in all its diversity – at a deeper level. This journey started upon my arrival last June when I took up my position as United Nations Resident Coordinator. It has taken me to the most interesting places around your great country. Thank you for ensuring that I can also learn from Dien Bien Province.

This year, the National Action Month focuses on protection, empowerment and prevention of violence against women and girls. More specifically, this calls for greater investments in the prevention of violence against women and girls. The National Action Month aligns with the Global 16 Days of Activism which runs from 25 November – the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – and ends on 10 December – Human Rights Day – as a reminder that violence against women and girls is a grave violation of human rights.

Let me provide a snapshot –

Globally, one in three women has been subjected to violence at least once in their lives. Every hour more than five women or girls are killed by their family member. 85% of women have witnessed online violence against another woman, and 38% have experienced it personally.

In Viet Nam, 63% of married women aged 15-64 have experienced some form of violence by their husband or intimate partner. Amongst these, half kept silent and did not seek help. Violence against women is costing the country roughly 1.8 per cent of the GDP per year. Women who experience violence earn an average of 35% less than those who are not subject to abuse.

This is an extraordinarily high price to pay. For the women and girls most importantly. But also for our societies as a whole.

Ladies and gentlemen,

There is much to be done. And we can all play our part; actively.

As the UN family in Viet Nam, we have joined forces and forged a partnership between the Governments of Viet Nam and Australia, together with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and selected provinces. One is Dien Bien. The aim is to roll out evidence-based strategies to reduce violence against women and children at home, in public, and online. UN agencies also work with strengthening the child protection system and with HIV/AIDS Response.

As leaders and representatives of Dien Bien, you have a vital role in investing in prevention of violence. Prevention costs cents on the dollar. And its return is manifold and manifest at all levels of society.

I also want to stress your vital role in promoting diversity and ensuring everyone’s equal opportunity. Viet Nam is a multi-ethnic country with 54 officially recognized ethnic groups, of which 53 are ethnic minority groups. These include a wealth of diversity in terms of languages, origins, and religions. Many of these communities call Dien Bien their home. Across the country, we know that the living conditions of ethnic minorities – in particular of ethnic minority women and children – are consistently worse than the national average.

As individuals, I want to inspire you with three easy actions we can all integrate into our daily lives:

• First, call out violence when you see it!
• Second, lead by example: show respect to all regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation or race.
• Third, share domestic and care work equally in your household.

I want to commend Dien Bien Province for your commitment to this important work and for organizing this event as a platform to connect and unite our collective efforts. I hope that the province will continue along this path to ensure that no woman or girl in Dien Bien is subject to violence.

Let’s UNITE – for a better and equal planet for our children and the next generations to come.

Thank you! Xin cam on!