Mr. Le Duy Tien, Deputy Secretary General, Viet Nam Union of Science and Technology Association (VUSTA);
Ms. Vu Song Ha, CCIPH Deputy Director
Ms. Van Anh, CSAGA Director
Representatives of the MPI, MOLISA and relevant ministries;
Representatives, International Organizations, CSO, fellow UN colleagues and media;
Good morning ladies and gentlemen;

It is indeed a pleasure to be here today, for the launching of the project on "Strengthening prevention and response to gender-based violence and harmful practices from social organization perspectives" (Project VNM9P05) implemented by the Center for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population (CCIHP); the Center for Studies and Applied Sciences in Gender, Family, Women and Adolescents (CSAGA); with technical assistance from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Viet Nam.
We very much value and greatly appreciate the partnership and commitment of the leaders of VUSTA for their efforts and effective collaboration with MPI, MOLISA and its CIPs in the development of PIP and project document. I would like to thank KOICA for contributing part of the funding to this important project. This is the first project in which UNFPA collaborates with a CSO as a national partner, with the aim of promoting the role of CSOs in working, together with the government, to prevent and respond to Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Distinguished guests,
The positive news is that many actions have been taken by the Government of Viet Nam, and CSOs to address the issue of GBV. However, more still needs to be done to effectively implement and reinforce the existing laws and policies to end violence against women. In this context, UNFPA is so happy to work closely with CCIHP and CSAGA in the following areas:

First, to gather evidence from the community with the participation from CSOs and community-based groups to contribute to policies development as well as to support the design and implementation of the project interventions for effective and sustainable prevention and response to GBV and harmful practice;

Second, to advocate for positive changes about attitude and behaviour in the community related to social norms and stereotypes of gender and GBV. The increasing demand for support services from GBV survivors is met, with the participation of CSOs, private sector and vulnerable population sub-groups;

Third, to strengthen the role of CSOs in collaboration with the public service system in the development and quality improvement of the multi-sectoral services responding to GBV and harmful practices;

Forth, to improve the communications and social advocacy capacity of the community-based organizations on GBV, access to social and health services.

Fifth, to develop models with boy and men engagement in promoting sexual and reproductive health and ending VAWG.

Ladies and gentlemen,
I very much appreciate the cooperation and commitment of CCIHP and CSAGA in carrying out activities to promote gender equality and prevent violence against women and girls over the past many years. UNFPA commits to continue working with CSOs, in particular are CCIHP and CSAGA and all participating agencies to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
I hope this project, based on evidence and outcomes achieved by CCIHP and CSAGA from previous projects, will continue addressing the challenges ahead in the prevention and response to gender-based violence/domestic violence, towards a prosperous, sustainable and safe Viet Nam for all.

Thank you very much for your attention and participation. I wish you all good health, happiness and success.