Forum on "Sexual violence against women and girls: the gap of legislation and support services"

Addressing the Forum, Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Ha said that for the past years, Vietnam has been focused on implementation of the measures in order to ensure social security, implementation of sustainable development objectives, including the right of women and implementing gender equality. These are confirmed in the Constitution, and legal system in Vietnam. Annually, the NA's Committee for the Social Issues has the working session with the ministries, sectors, relevant units to supervise, evaluate the implementation of law, policies on domestic violence and gender based violence prevention and combat.

To solve the situation of gender based violence, the authorities have had many efforts such as completing the policies regime, approving the programs, schemes namely the Scheme on prevention and reaction with gender based violence in the period of 2016 – 2020, vision to 2030. Besides this, the models have been implemented, contributing to community awareness, minimizing risk and improving quality, such as, the Trusted Addresses, safe house in community, Gender-Based Violence Victims Support institutions, Social Work Center providing gender equality services, safe friendly non-violent school, safe city for women and girls.

Currently, some women and girls suffered from sexual violence instead of silently endured, they can couragously raise their voice to the authorities for the investigation, process; The community also expressed support for the victim and requested appropriate treatment of the person who committed the sexual act. However, there are still many difficulties and obstacles in the process of the functional agencies and the units providing services to investigate, handle and support victims.

This Forum is an opportunity for local managers, policy-makers and  authorities at the localities to look at gaps in the legal system and provide support services to victims. (in addition to the perpetrators) to continue researching, proposing practical policies, developing supportive services to meet the needs of victims towards a society of progress and sustainable development. Recommendations, lessons learned from international will be helpful suggestions for Vietnam in developing policies, laws and related programs and projects in the coming time.

On this occasion, on behalf of the Ministry of Labour - Invalids and Social Affairs, Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Ha thanked the United Nations Population Fund in Vietnam, domestic and international agencies, organizations and individuals who have companied with the Ministry in the past for the  joint efforts for the cause of gender equality in Vietnam. The Deputy Minister hoped that the Forum would attract many frankly responsible opinions of the representatives in order to resolve this situation in the coming time.

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