UN Women launches HeForShe in Viet Nam

In commemoration of International Women's Day 2015, UN Women in collaboration with Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union launched HeForShe in Viet Nam.HeForShe is a global effort that aims to engage men and boys, one half of humanity, in removing the social and cultural barriers that prevent the other half of humanity from achieving their potential.

Opening the ceremony, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Pratibha Mehta highlighted that gender equality is not and must not only be a women's issue.It's a human rights issue that requires every man and boy to take action against all forms of violence and discrimination faced by women and girls.

Speaking at the event, UN Women Country Representative, Shoko Ishikawa stressed that "boys and girls are not born with gender-stereotyped behaviour. It's not a physical difference.It's learned. So with HeForShe we want everyone to reject these stereotypes. There should be no limit to what women can do and what men can do. It is time that we reset the relationship between men and women – to make it equal. Gender equality benefits both men and women and the whole society".

At the event, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and President of Viet Nam Youth Federation, Nguyen Phi Long said " Women are important to our lives. They are our grandmother, mother, wife, sisters, daughters, friends and colleagues. I support HeForShe". He encouraged men and boys in Viet Nam to speak out and take action to create an equal society for both men and women.

Inspiring by HeForShe spirit, many Vietnamese actors, singers and writers including Tran Thu Ha, Hoang Bach, Xuan Bac, Chieu Xuan, Van Mai Huong, Trang Ha and the likes have raised their voice to encourage their followers and people in society to join the Campaign from now to the Viet Nam Women's Day on 20 October.

More information about HeForShe: HeForShe was launched at the United Nations on September 20th by Honourable Sam Kahamba Kutesa, President of the 69th session of the General Assembly, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, Emma Watson, who all offered most powerful calls to men to stand up and support gender equality. Since our launch, several Heads of State from the United States, Rwanda, India, Sweden, and most recently Ireland,along with CEOs from Unilever, Coca-Cola, Tupperware, and hundreds of thousands of men from 196 countries around the world have committed to be Champions for HeForShe. In addition, HeForShe has launched more than 1.2 billion conversation on social media and has, we believe, the potential to shift the tide on gender equality. Website: www.heforshe.org