Hanoi (VNA) – On the threshold of the Lunar New Year (Tet), Ambassadorsto Vietnam of the G4 countries, namely New Zealand, Canada, Norway and Switzerland,have visited Hope Box, a shelter for victims of gender-based violence, in Hanoi.

The ambassadors and women in Hope Box made Tet biscuits andspread the message of “hope” in the new year.

Through the special visit, the diplomats expressed their hope to contributeto raising awareness about gender equality and preventing gender-based violencein Vietnam.

New Zealand Ambassador Tredene Dobson expressed her delightto welcome her first Tet in Vietnam, describing it a great opportunity tolearn from some extraordinary women about what this holiday means to thepeople of Vietnam and to share some stories of “Hope” for the New Year.

“2022 is the Year of the Tiger. Tigers are known for theircourage, generosity and their drive to help others. And that pretty much sumsup the women I’ve met here at Hope Box. I hope that in the Year of the Tiger,all of our countries have the courage to nurture, educate, support and protectour women and girls. May our girls especially, find their voice and shout itfrom the roof tops – the future is ours,” she said.

Canadian Ambassador Deborah Paul thanked Hope Box and otherorganisations for women and by women for all their efforts to promote women’srights and to provide opportunities for women to reach their full potential inthe face of challenges.

“In the year of the Tiger, we all have a role to play – aspartners and allies – in achieving gender equality and building a world wherewomen and girls can do anything and be anything, free from violence,” she added.

Meanwhile, Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber stated that gendernorms are constructed and reinforced by men and women. It is key that men andboys are mobilised to help changing social norms and to promote women’s rights.

According to him, violence against women and girls is anespecially unacceptable form of gender disparity, and tends to get worse intimes of crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Easing access to support becomes more important than ever. Womenand men must work together to tackle the root causes of gender-baseddiscrimination and violence in particular. Equal opportunities for all not onlybenefit women, but the society as a whole,” he stressed.

Norwegian Ambassador Grete Lochen, for her part, said she isgrateful for the opportunity to meet and support these inspiring and strongwomen, and together with them share experiences and make cookies for Tet.

“Tet means Hope. I hope for a better 2022 thatbrings love, health, and equal opportunities to everyone, particularly womenand girls who have been even more marginalised due to COVID-19,” she said.

It has become a tradition that every year on the occasion ofthe Lunar New Year, the G4 ambassadors visit a group of disadvantaged people insociety.

Hope Box is a new social enterprise model that helpsVietnamese women who experience domestic violence get stable jobs and live anew life./.