• Associate Professor Nguyen Lan Hieu, Chair of Steering Committee of the Viet Nam Men’s Network for Gender Equality and Sustainable Development;
• Mr. Dang Hoa Nam, Director of Department of Children’s Affairs, Ministry of Labout, Invalids and Social Affairs;
• Ms. Khuat Thu Hong, Director of Institute of Social Development Studies;
• Mr. Le Van Cong, VNMenNet member and Gold Medal Olympian;

Good morning,

Ladies and Gentlemen!

It is a pleasure to be here with you today and to speak on behalf of UNFPA, UNICEF and UN Women who jointly support the programme ‘Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children in Viet Nam 2021-2025’, a partnership between the Governments of Viet Nam and Australia, implemented by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

This is my first time joining the Annual National Symposium of The Vietnam Men’s Network for Gender Equality and Sustainable Development (VNMenNet) on the occasion of International Men’s Day; the National Action Month for Gender Equality and Gender-based Violence Prevention and Response; and the UNiTE 16 Days of Activism global campaign.

Thank you all for coming on a Sunday morning. I especially welcome members of Male Advocates for Gender Equality & Gender-based Violence Prevention Clubs and Fatherhood Clubs from provinces and cities outside of Ha Noi. My special thanks to Professor Michael Flood, who will share with us international experience on masculinities and engaging men and boys in prevention of violence against women and girls and building gender equality.

Today's symposium is a testament to our commitment to fostering an inclusive society where gender equality thrives. It serves as a platform to engage in deep discussions, share insights, and initiate collective action toward eliminating gender-based violence (GBV) and promoting gender equality.

This is the third year that VNMenNet marks International Men’s Day, and it encourages us to reflect on the multifaceted roles that men and boys play in society. It's a moment to recognize the challenges and pressures caused by gendered stereotypes, and to advocate for men and boys to play their part in achieving gender equality. At the same time, as we celebrate the National Action Month for Gender Equality and Gender-based Violence Prevention and Response, we must address the prevalent issues surrounding GBV which, from available data, show that by far men are the most common perpetrators, without forgetting that men are also survivors of violence. We come together today to ensure a safe and equitable environment for everyone.

This year, the UNiTE global campaign emphasizes the importance of financing to prevent GBV. Globally, it is estimated that implementing prevention programmes to end gender-based violence in 132 low and middle income countries by 2030 will cost US$42 billion dollars. However, financial commitments for prevention work remain limited. In 2022, out of a total of US$204 billion of Official Development Assistance, just 0.2% was invested in GBV prevention.

Here in Viet Nam, budget commitments to implementing the National Strategy on Gender Equality are yet to be realized in full. For the National Program on Gender Equality 2016-2020, only 57% of the assigned 180 billion VND has been mobilized. With ODA declining as a percentage of GDP from 1.81% in 2016 to 0.63% in 2020 due to the lower middle income status of Viet Nam, financing for gender equality and violence prevention will become far more reliant on state and private sources. Yet according to the National Study on Violence Against Women in Viet Nam 2019, violence against women is costing Viet Nam an estimated 1.8 per cent of GDP per year, that double the total ODA figure – a high price indeed.

Engaging men and boys in GBV prevention has been shown to be a cost-effective strategy to end violence and end harmful social norms.

We know that men need to be engaged as gender advocates – in their own lives as well as speaking out as active agents to transform patriarchal social norms and behaviours and to end gendered stereotypes that perpetuate discrimination and inequality against women, children andthose with intersecting identities including persons with disabilities, LGBTQI+ and ethnic minorities.

I have just returned from the 7^th Asia – Pacific Population Conference in Bangkok where many Member States voiced support for engaging men to end GBV. We can all lead by example to promote gender equality by showing respect to everyone. Your role is vital in preventing violence before it happens, and in supporting survivors of violence.

I put forward a challenge for all of us to invest in 5 key actions:

• First, call out violence and discriminatory behaviours whenever you see it
• Second, lead by example: show respect to all genders, especially women, children, people who identify as LGBTQI, people with disability, and groups who are more at risk of violence.
• Third, equally share domestic and care work in your household.
• Fourth, advocate and invest more budgets and human resources in prevention efforts within your organization, department, company, or community.
• And fifth, join the #NoExcuse campaign calling for urgent investments to prevent violence against women and girls.

My hope is that this National Symposium will create an open space to share experiences as advocates and change agents to end gender-based violence and promote gender equality, and to gain inspiration to better support survivors of violence. Let us invest our time and resources to equip ourselves with knowledge, skills and information on how to engage men and boys in this work, for the benefit of all society.

Together, we can end all forms of violence against women and children. I wish you all a very successful and meaningful annual event.

Xin Cam on! Thank you!