The 'Love Without Prejudice' campaign aims to facilitate discussion between gender experts and young people through social media posts and interviews. Photo courtesy of the For Vietnamese Stature Foundation

HÀ NỘI — An online campaign has been organised to raise awareness on gender issues in Việt Nam as part of a month of action on gender equality.

The 'Love Without Prejudice' campaign aims to shed light on gender bias and prejudices, and how people can work together to reduce them.

It is run by the non-profit For Vietnamese Stature Foundation on social media, which facilitates opinion sharing and discussions between experts and young people through knowledge-based posts and interviews.

Sharing her views on the project, Phương Nhi, a student from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, said she often came across gender-biased statements in everyday life.

“For example, I often hear people say: ‘Boys shouldn't be soft' or 'girls don't need to be highly educated,’” she said.

Listening to a lot of these prejudices might affect the way people think and act, she added.

"Sometimes, I also blame myself and my partner about how boys or girls should be in an unconscious way. So I think that 'Loving Without Prejudice' is not assigning gender prejudices or negative stereotypes to those you love," Nhi said.

The campaign also received support from members of the gender equality media network, gender experts, scientists, and leaders of non-profit organisations.

Nguyễn Khánh Diệu Hồng is the principal of the Hà Nội-based TH School and a successful woman in the field of science. From an early age, she was supported by her family to pursue a career that she loved, although to many other families this field was considered 'more suitable' for men.

That was one of the major motivations for Hồng on her career path. "'Love Without Prejudice' helps people get closer to each other, helps people who receive hate have more faith in life, and sparks love for those around while changing the view and stereotypes of society," she said.

Younger people may have different ways of reacting when faced with gender prejudices in society.

Bá Khải, a 21-year-old living in Hà Nội, chooses to voice his concerns instead of keeping silent.

He said: “I usually correct those who show gender prejudice with a little humour, making it easier for them to see that they are wrong and that change has taken place. I also regularly take part in communication projects so that I can contribute to eliminating gender stereotypes and promoting gender equality.” VNS