Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam Sasaki Shohei (first, right), Country Representative of UN Women Vietnam Elisa Fernandez Saenz (centre), and Chairwoman of the Da Nang Women’s Union Hoang Thi Thu Huong pose for a photo at the launch of the project to reduce the risks and negative impacts of COVID-19 on women and girls in Hanoi on August 2. (Photo: VNA)The project aims to support about 5,000 poor and vulnerablewomen in nine provinces and cities, including Hanoi, Da Nang, Dien Bien, HaTinh, Ho Chi Minh City, Tien Giang, Nghe An, Thai Binh and Lao Cai.
The priority targets are women at risk of violence, thosewith disabilities, migrant workers, ethnic minorities, people working in theinformal sector and those living in disaster-prone areas.
Apart from receiving the COVD-19 prevention kits, whichinclude test kits, medical masks and anti-bacteria gel, the beneficiaries willalso be equipped with the necessary skills to prevent and respond to COVID-19,disasters, gender-based violence and information about the available supportservices. Women survivors of gender-based violence at shelters and the PeaceHouse will be supported in COVID-19 medical examinations and treatment.
The project is a part of a nearly 20-billion-VND (855,800USD) regional project implemented in four Mekong countries, namely Cambodia,Laos, Thailand and Vietnam by UN Women Asia-Pacific, with the financial supportfrom the Japanese Government.
Interventions are also designed to improve the quality ofgender-responsive services and the capacity of staff working at MigrantResource Centres, Vietnam Women’s Union at all levels, social organisations inthe nine cities and provinces.
Due to COVID-19, women’s labour force participation rate fell8 points between 2019 and 2021, from 70.9% to 62.3%. COVID-19 contributed to areduction in working hours for women, and the loss of jobs across manufacturingand services. A rapid assessment conducted by UNICEF, UNFPA and UN Women withthe support of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in2021 found that women and children in particular were at greater risk duringthe period of social isolation. The study found that in Vietnam more than onein three women experienced at least one form of violence during the pandemicperiod, with more women reporting experiencing controlling behaviors andeconomic violence.
“Emerging evidence over the past year confirmed that thepandemic had a regressive effect on gender equality,” said Elisa FernandezSaenz, Country Representative of UN Women Vietnam. “Throughout the COVID-19pandemic, in Vietnam many women have suffered from loss of employment, reducedhousehold income, inadequate housing, lack of life-saving support and services,limited social protection measures, as well as increased stress at home, alongwith unacceptable high levels of intimate partner violence.”
“We hope that this project presents an opportunity forrestructuring and creating a ‘new normal’ in which no one is left behind”,said Sasaki Shohei, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam.
As the representative of the project’s local partners, HoangThi Thu Huong, Chairwoman of the Da Nang Women’s Union said: “The DanangWomen's Union representing nine cities and provinces participating in theproject highly appreciates UN Women's timely support in COVID-19gender-responsive responses. Equipping women, especially the most disadvantagedand vulnerable groups with COVID-19 prevention information and supplies, isessential, especially when the pandemic is still ongoing but many people mighthave let their guard down.”/.
VNA
