Nearly 5,000 people, including students and foreign diplomats in Hanoi, joined the “Dance for Kindness” programme to promote gender equality at the pedestrian zone around Hoan Kiem Lake on November 25.

This year, “Dance for Kindness”, a global event beyond the boundaries of our country, beyond our culture, our race, our religion has carried a new and meaningful message: to end gender-based violence on November 25 - International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

“Dance for Kindness” programme promotes gender equality. (Photos: UN Women Viet Nam/Hieu Nguyen)

The event was jointly held by the Youth Magazine under the Ho Chi Minh Communist Union Central Committee, the Youth Connection Club, the U.N. Women Vietnam and many other organisations in honour of the World Kindness Day (November 13) and the Action Month for Gender Equality.

A series of activities were organised to convey the message of preventing and responding to violence and abuse of women and children, including flashmob, painting and parade.

Dancers took part in a 2-min Freezemob to remember victims and survivors of gender-based violence and a impressive Flashmob to welcome World Kindness Week and the starting of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence.

At the same time, a photo exhibition showcasing photos and stories on Ending violence to women and girls has been opened to the public.

People visit the photo exhibition showcasing photos and stories on Ending violence to women and girls.

The first “Dance for Kindness” programme in Vietnam was held in 2014. It aims to inspire, empower and educate people from all walks of life to lead a life of kindness. It proves that regardless of differences in race, religion, ethnicity or background, the common thread that unites all people is kindness.

25 November is recognized as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women by the United Nations. Violence against women is one of the most widespread and persistent human rights violation today. It mostly results from social norms and gender stereotypes.

To totally eliminate the violence against women, there must be the co-operation between organizations and countries to fight for gender equality and women and girls' empowerment./.

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