Co-hosted by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) and
the Vietnam Association for Protection of Children’s Rights in the city, the
event aimed to introduce relevant activities held in Vietnam and discuss joint
work to protect women and children’s rights in the near future.
Over the past decade, the committee has actively fulfilled set targets,
contributing to promoting social welfare as well as women and children’s
involvement in the region.
Between 2016 and 2020, ASEAN member states have fulfilled action plans on the
back of the past achievements as well as devising new initiatives in line with
the regional action plan on eliminating violence against women and children in
the bloc.
Speaking at the event, deputy head of the MoLISA’s Department of International
Cooperation Ha Thi Minh Duc said during the 2016-2020 period, the committee will
conduct three projects on the promotion of sustainable integration of the ASEAN
Community by ensuring legal status of regional women and children; regional
dialogues on children bully in Ho Chi Minh City at schools or online; and sexual
child abuse: law and enforcement.
Nguyen Thi Thanh, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Association for Protection of
Children’s Rights lauded positive achievements in care services for children,
adding that the number of children enjoying public services in health care,
education and entertainment is increasing.
The association has also launched a hotline 18009069, offered timely
consultation and legal assistance in children-related issues.
Grace Agcaoili, a UNICEF expert on children rights’ protection, looked into
social issues directly impacting women and children, especially child abuse. The
economic loss caused by child abuse in East Asia and the Pacific is estimated at
206 billion USD, or some 2 percent of the regional gross domestic product.
She called for launching specific strategies to mitigate impact of violence
against children and women.
Source: VNA