HA NOI, 2 December 2014 - When listening to a child saying "Dad I wish...." we may expect she/he would say "Dad I wish to be an astronaut, a politician, a scientist or a big dream for her/his future or something that not easy to achieve. But no, the wish of all children participating in the exhibition today is very simple: "Dad I wish you do not beat my mom!" "Dad I wish you to love my mom!" Those wishes are very simple so that we never think it should be a wish, but yes it is.

A collection of 23 photos taken by 23 boys from Ha Noi, Ha Nam, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen and Bac Ninh provinces introduced at the photo voice exhibition today 2 December 2014 until 7 December 2014 at Guethe Institute in Ha Noi. Mr. Arthur Erken, UNFPA Representative, Mr. David Devine, Canadian Ambassador in Viet Nam, Ms. Nienke Trooster, Dutch Ambassador in Viet Nam, Ms. Meyer Zollitsch, Director of Goethe Institute and Ms. Nguyen Van Anh, Director of CSAGA participated in the opening event of the exhibition.

Twenty three wishes - twenty three painful stories by twenty three boys affected by domestic violence . Twenty three stories, reflected by photos send us a strong message and take us to the various emotions of the childhood experiences with violence, lack of care and love of the fathers, and trauma Behind the twenty three photos are twenty three dreams and twenty three hopes for a future, a future frees of violence.

"The wishes from our children really tell us as a father something to think about. On the event today, I would like to call for all men to listen to the wish of your children and to really look in the mirror and ask yourselves: Do I really a good father? Do I bring happiness to my child? What I should do be a good and responsible father? what I should do to be a good example for my children? What I should change to help my children having real dream for his/her better future?" said Mr. Erken, UNFPA at the opening.  

This event is one among more than 42 events of the campaign to celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence. The International Day and the following 16 days are commemorated every year, around the world, to mark the fundamental right of every child and every woman to live a life free of violence.

Let's take action to make our children's dreams come true! Today, and every day “Let's take action to end violence against women and girls”.