(VNF) - On December 8^th, in Hanoi, five teams who are students of Hanoi’s universities took part in the contest "Happy Flight" about preventing and ending violence against women and girls in Vietnam.

The contest was part of the National Month of Actions to Eliminate all Forms of Violence against Women and Girls, organised by Center for Studies and Applied Sciences in Gender – Family – Women and Adolescent (CSAGA), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Vietnam, Embassy of Netherlands, Irish Aid and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

Taking part in the event, there were representatives of UNFPA Vietnam, Embassy of Canada, CSAGA, and more than 600 students of National University of Civil Engineering, Vietnam Trade Union University, University of Transport Technology, Water Resources University and National Academy of Public Administration. Artist Tu Long and journalist Ha Son were two in the five judges to assess playing teams.

Astrid Bant, Representative of the UNFPA in Vietnam.

Astrid Bant, Representative of the UNFPA in Vietnam, said, "Everyone has a right to live free of violence. It’s a fundamental right – a right enshrined in international human rights law. Yet gender-based violence against women and girls continues to be a serious problem in almost every country in the world. Globally, one in every three women is subjected to violation by men, often close to her – father, husband, boyfriend, uncle, and supervisor, colleague at workplace, etc. We need to create an enabling environment for gender-based violence victims to speak up by addressing cultural norms that are constructed by the patriarchal system contributing to gender stereotypes , and ensuring that the essential services for gender-based violence survivors are available and accessible.”

“Ending violence against women should be a priority for every man and woman. Together, we can make Vietnam safer and more equitable for women and girls,” she said.

A performance of a team.

Five teams had impressive performances about raising public awareness and calling men and boys to act against violence toward women and girls, as said jury panel in the game show: "We are truly impressed, you all performed excellently the burning issue of sexual violence against women and girls, help raise this issue to the whole audience here."

The first place belonged to the team of the University of Transport Technology, which was highly appreciated by the judges for their understanding, creativity and persuasiveness about gender inequality, gender-based violence against women and girls and eliminating and responding to gender norms and prejudices./.

Phuong Nguyen