HCM CITY — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has affirmed the Vietnamese Party and State’s consistent policy of ensuring rights of people, including women and children.

He made the statement during a teleconference held by the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU)’s Central Committee in Hà Nội and HCM City on Wednesday to launch “The Safety Year for Women and Children”, contributing to the national action plan for the United Nations (UN) Agenda for Sustainable Development 2030.

"The current legal framework on gender equality, domestic violence, healthcare, education, human rights and women’s development has also improved," said PM Phúc.

The State provides free health insurance to all children below six year old and nearly 100 per cent of children under one year old under the national expanded immunisation programme.

Ahead of International Women’s Day (March 8) on Friday, the action programme kicked off at the Lý Thái Tổ Statue in Hà Nội’s Hoàn Kiếm District and on Nguyễn Huệ Pedestrian Street in HCM City’s District 1 at the same time.

The programme aims to encourage everyone to promote the safety of women and children.

Such efforts over the year have enhanced Millennium Development Goals adopted by the UN as well as the 2011-2020 national strategy of gender equality.

Nearly 100 per cent of five-year-old children attend kindergarten, and about 90 per cent of children who live in special circumstances enjoy the benefits of social welfare policies.

On the occasion, the PM praised the VWU’s contributions in raising awareness about gender equality and the importance of ensuring safety for women and children.

He said that, besides ensuring economic growth, the country needed to focus on the quality of economic growth as well as social justice and protection of children’s rights and welfare.

“I feel very sad when I hear about traffic accidents, drownings, domestic violence and sexual abuse, as well as trafficking of women and children,” he said.

Women and children, especially ethnic minorities, living in disadvantaged areas located in border areas and on islands should be better protected, he added.

He called on various sectors and localities at all levels to join hands and take responsibility to protect women and children.

Nguyễn Thị Thu Hà, VWU chairwoman, said that, on average, about 61 women and seven children were victims of domestic violence, and three children victims of sexual abuse each day, according to a statistics in the 2012-15 period.

Domestic violence, sex abuse and human trafficking cases have serious health consequences.

“A strong sense of awareness and responsibility of your own personal safety is very important. It should become a habit, a lifestyle, a culture of individuals, families and the whole society,” she said.
Lê Thanh Liêm, vice chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee, said that the city had carried out numerous activities, campaigns, exhibitions and contests on these issues.

He called on the entire society to join hands in helping to end violence against women and children.

People who want to support the programme can text BC to the number 1409 until April 27.

Each mobile text message will contribute VNĐ20,000 (US$0.86) to the fund for disadvantaged women and children living in border areas.

Miss Universe Việt Nam H’Hen Niê and MC and actor Quyền Linh were named the ambassadors for this year’s programme.

Besides the launching ceremony, a biking activity, painting exhibitions, and booths showcasing safe farm produce, as well as health and legal consultations for woman and children were also held. — VNS