UN Women Support Victims of Gender-based Violence and Human Trafficking in Vietnam

UN Women provides equipment to improve the quality of services to support women and children, who are victims of gender-based violence during the 4th wave of Covid-19 in Vietnam

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) in Vietnam organized the handover of essential equipment worth VND 483.4 million (US$21,365) to continue upgrading the hotline 1900969680. This meets the needs of domestic and international counseling on violence against women, and improves the quality of support services for victims of violence and trafficking at three Peace House Shelters in Can Tho and Ha Noi. These supports are part of UN Women's efforts to end violence and trafficking in women in ASEAN.

The Covid-19 pandemic has not only severely affected the economy and society, but also increased violence against women and children. During the fourth Covid wave starting from April 2021, Vietnam has been strongly affected.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Elisa Fernandez Saenz, country representative of UN Women in Vietnam said, “The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic along with stringent response measures has exacerbated existing limitations related to violence against women and children response services. Therefore, the support to upgrade these services is not only necessary in Covid-19, but also to ensure the dignity and social integration of women who are victims of violence and human trafficking. UN Women is very pleased to accompany Peace House Shelters on this journey."

In early 2021, within the framework of an urgent response project to violence against women and children in Covid-19, funded by the Australian Government, UN Women also donated equipment worth nearly VND1.5 billion (US$66,201). These are intended to improve the quality of services to support women and children who are victims of gender-based violence in the context of Covid-19.

To overcome systemic challenges posed by limited state budget allocations, UN Women is committed to continuing to support Peace House Shelters to upgrade its psychological counseling services. They also strengthen coordination and connection to provide more comprehensive support services for women and children who are victims of gender-based violence in Vietnam.

Duong Ngoc Linh, director of the Center for Women and Development, the agency in charge of Peace House Shelters, thanked UN Women's efforts and said: “The equipment given today is a meaningful gift, motivates all staff, who are always committed to the peace of women and children, and contribute to the completion of the essential service package to support women and children experiencing gender-based violence, especially in the Covid-19 crisis.”

Hotline 1900 96 9680, Binh Yen House, belonging to the Vietnam Women's Union was established to provide urgent and comprehensive support services for women and children experiencing domestic violence, sexual abuse and trafficking.

After more than 19 years of operation in Hanoi and 4 years in Can Tho, 8,063 cases, 9,850 people with 12,961 times consulted; 3,424 women and children experiencing gender-based violence from 50 provinces and 17 ethnic groups were supported at Peace House Shelters.

Particularly during the Covid-19 period, the number of consultations through the hotline 1900969680 and social networks of Peace House Shelters increased 7 times compared to the same period last year. Peace House Shelters have coordinated with local authorities in crisis consulting/emergency intervention, rescuing nearly 30 cases, an increase of 40 percent. In the first six months of 2021, the number of callers through hotline is about 1100, an increase of 140 percent over the same period in 2020. Women and children experiencing violence can call 1900969680 to get timely support.

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