HÀ NỘI — A new project on preventing and responding to gender-based violence and domestic violence, and addressing sex-work related issues was signed yesterday in Hà Nội.

Signed by the Labour Ministry and the United Nations Population Fund, the project will provide capacity support for government officials at national and sub-national levels in the development and implementation of evidence and human rights-based policies and programmes.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Đào Hồng Lan, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Socials Affairs said, "With joint efforts of all sectors at all levels, Việt Nam has achieved remarkable achievements in gender equality. However, there are still many difficulties and challenges requiring more effective solutions and interventions.”

"There is still a gap between policy and practice, with women and girls still bearing the brunt of violence," she said.

“With technical and financial support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), we hope that this project will contribute to reducing gender disparities and to effective implementation of programmes, policies and strategies on gender equality, sex work related issues and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Việt Nam," she said.

Of a total budget of US$4.1 million for five years from 2017 to 2021, $3.7 million will be funded by UNFPA.

Among several objectives, the project aims to support the generation of evidence for making more effective the implementation of the Law on Gender Equality and the Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control.

It also aims to raise awareness and support behavioural change in policymakers and the community, especially men, on preventing and responding to domestic violence.

The project will also support the development and improvement of evidence and human rights based laws, policies and programmes addressing sex work related issues.

Astrid Bant, UNFPA Representative in Việt Nam, said, "I hope this project, based on evidence and outcomes achieved from the previous phase, will continue addressing the challenges ahead in the prevention and response to gender-based violence and domestic violence, towards a prosperous, sustainable and safe Việt Nam for all."

According to a national survey on violence against women in Việt Nam conducted by the General Statistics Office in 2010, 58 per cent of married women aged 18-60 have experienced violence at least once in their lives.

However, this is only the figure on violence against women within family settings. Of huge concern is that up to 87 per cent of women suffering from violence do not seek any support from public service providers. — VNS