Participants at the campaign launching on June 4. Photo by UNICEF
The campaign called Blue Heart which was launched on June 4 by the UNICEF, UNFPA, UN WOMEN and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) aimed to raise public awareness of the risks of violence against children and women, including in emergency situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
The campaign calls for action from the public to speak up against and report violence. It also provides knowledge and skills to women and children to prevent violence and abuse and improve mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of all those affected.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact across the world. While efforts to contain the virus were crucial to keep the population healthy, they also exposed women and children to increased risks of violence, including maltreatment, gender-based violence and sexual abuse. In Vietnam, the Peace House, a shelter for women and girl victims of domestic violence and abuse under the Vietnam Women’s Union, has reported receiving twice as many women seeking shelter during the COVID-19 period. Children and women are both the victims of and witnesses to domestic violence, which scars them physically as well as psychologically.
“UNICEF, UNFPA and UN WOMEN join their voices in asking all citizens to report abuse and to help hold the perpetrators accountable. Violence occurs in rich and poor families and communities, in educated and less educated households. It is always about power over the victim and it is never acceptable. In uncertain times and periods of stress and anxiety, sadly the already high numbers worsen. Women are frightened to report and children rarely in a position to report such abject acts”, said Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative, speaking on behalf of the participating UN agencies. “We urge the local authorities, communities, parents and the government to act to ensure the protection and safety of women and children”.
“No matter where violence happens, in what forms, and whom it impacts, it must be stopped. Strengthening services to respond effectively to violence against women and children during and after crisis, including covid-19, will enhance the preparedness and response strategy of Vietnam” said Elisa Fernandez Saenz, UN WOMEN Representative in Vietnam.
School closure affected more than 21 million children in Vietnam. Children’s reliance on online plat¬forms for distance learning has also increased their risk of exposure to inappropriate content and online predators. Growing digitalization magnifies children’s vulnerability to harm.
The Blue Heart campaign is part of the Month of Action for Children, which is celebrated in Vietnam in June every year.
Several celebrities and influencers including Bao Thanh, H’Hen Nie, Hoang Bach, Minh Trang, Trong Hieu, Kim Ly, Duy Khoa, and Xuan Bac are lending their voices to support the campaign by amplifying the messages to protect children and women.
Leave your comment on this story