HA NOI, 22 June 2021 –UNFPA Representative for Viet Nam, Ms. Naomi Kitahara today handed nearly 5,100 Dignity Kits to the Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Farmers’ Union, Mr Nguyen Xuan Dinh. The Dignity Kits will be distributed by the Union to women and girls at risk of gender - based violence as a result of the COVID-19 in Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, and HCM City.
Since 17 April 2021, the 4th wage of COVID-19 has affected many provinces and cities across Vietnam, and Bac Giang, Bac Ninh and HCM City are among the most affected locations.
As seen in many parts of the world, the containment measures, especially social isolation and quarantine applied to control the pandemic, tend to exacerbate existing inequalities and disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, especially women and girls, and Viet Nam has not been an exception. The social and family pressures as a result of COVID-19 containment measures, a job loss, uncertainties and reduced household income have made women even more vulnerable to domestic violence.
Dignity Kits are a signature product of UNFPA's comprehensive package of humanitarian assistance, and today’s delivery of the kits was made possible in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Government of Australia and the Government of Japan. The aim is to safeguard sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls, mitigate the risk of gender-based violence, and protect the dignity of women and girls adversely affected by a crisis.
“Preserving dignity is essential to maintain women’s self-esteem and confidence, which is crucial in stressful and potentially overwhelming humanitarian situations. A Dignity Kit comprises the basic items that women and girls need to protect themselves and maintain their basic hygiene, respect, and dignity in the face of COVID-19,” said Ms. Naomi Kitahara, UNFPA Representative for Viet Nam at the handover ceremony.
“All women and children in Viet Nam, including those most vulnerable, have the right to live a life free of violence, and support to meet their special needs has to be prioritized as part of the COVID-19 response. It is about making sure that everyone is part of the country’s sustainable development process, leaving no one behind,” added Ms Kitahara.
The Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Farmers’ Union, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dinh said at the hand-over ceremony: “On behalf of women in Bac Giang, Bac Ninh and HCM City, the Vietnam Farmers’ Union thanks UNFPA Vietnam, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Government of Australia and the Government of Japan for timely support. The Dignity Kits, especially information and knowledge on how to protect themselves from gender-based violence, are very useful for women. The Vietnam Farmers’ Union promises to immediately deliver all the kits to women in need.”
The Viet Nam Farmer Union will distribute 2,397 kits to Bac Giang Province, 1,438 kits to Bac Ninh Province and 1,259 kits HCM City.
Information to editors
The National Study on Violence against Women in Viet Nam in 2019 showed that nearly two in three married women (almost 63 per cent) have experienced one or more forms of physical, sexual, emotional and economic violence and controlling behaviors by their husbands in their lifetime, and almost 32 per cent in the last 12 months. About 48 per cent of victims did not tell anyone about the violence they endured, and 90.4 per cent did not seek any help from public services. The overall productivity loss caused by violence against women was estimated at 1.81% of GDP in 2018.
The United Nations Population Fund - UNFPA is the United Nations agency specializes in sexual and reproductive health and rights. UNFPA’s mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Pham Thu Huong| Deputy Director of Social, Population and Family Department Viet Nam Farmers’ Union
Email: pthp12nd@yahoo.com | Tel: 0916382839
Ms. Dinh Thu Huong | UNFPA Communications
Email: dhuong@unfpa.org | Tel: 0913301539
