Launch ceremony for the "Working Together for Gender Equality" media competition.

Attending the ceremony were Mr. Robbie Taylor, Deputy Ambassador, Embassy of New Zealand in Vietnam; Ms. Nguyen Van Anh (Director of CSAGA), Ms. Socho Ishikawa, Head of UN Women; Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) along with representatives of the leadership and students of the University.

Violence against women is a serious social issue in Vietnam and around the world. According to the UN agency for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), one-third of women and girls worldwide are victims of gender-based violence. In Vietnam, gender-based violence against women and girls is seriously affecting their lives, health, and well-being. An effective method in preventing and eliminating violence against women is through communication campaigns that raise public awareness about gender equality and gender-based violence. As part of the National 16-Day Action Campaign to Eliminate All Forms of Violence and Discrimination Against Women and Girls, the Center for Research and Application of Science on Gender – Family – Women and Adolescents (CSAGA), in collaboration with the New Zealand Embassy in Hanoi, is launching a competition to find media products titled “Walking Together for Gender Equality”.

Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Pham Quang Minh (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) emphasized the significance of this event for the University, where the majority of staff, lecturers, and students are female. The theme of gender equality has been highlighted in many research topics of the University, including research by the Department of Family and Gender Sociology, Faculty of Sociology. Regarding the Faculty of Journalism and Communication, the Rector hoped that the Faculty would produce future generations of journalists with a deep understanding of gender equality. For the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, in the context of international integration and globalization, the Rector hoped that the University would contribute to blurring the boundaries between men and women in society in general, and between men and women in particular; as well as continuing the tradition of respecting women in Vietnam. Finally, the Rector hoped that alumni and students of the University, especially female students, would contribute to spreading and promoting this campaign to raise awareness of gender equality in society in general.

Professor Pham Quang Minh delivered a speech at the ceremony.

On behalf of the New Zealand Embassy in Hanoi, Mr. Robbie Taylor (Deputy Ambassador) shared that gender stereotypes still persist in the media in Vietnam. For example, in advertisements, women's images are still portrayed according to ingrained and unequal notions. Therefore, the press and media play a crucial role in eliminating gender stereotypes. He encouraged students to use social media such as blogs and Facebook to help eradicate these stereotypes. He believes that the rate of gender inequality can be improved through small actions by the younger generation. Notably, Mr. Robbie Taylor spoke in his capacity as an expectant father.

Robbie Taylor gave a speech at the ceremony.

On behalf of CSAGA, Ms. Nguyen Van Anh, Director of the Center, shared statistics on gender-based violence in Vietnam and around the world. According to a large national study in Vietnam in 2010, 58% of women had experienced violence at least once from their husbands or families. Another study by the PLAN organization found that 87% of women in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City had experienced sexual harassment at least once in their lives. In another study of over 30 high schools in Hanoi, 14% of children were found to have been sexually abused. Notably, gender-based violence occurs not only in rural, low-income areas but also in urban areas. Therefore, CSAGA expressed its honor to collaborate with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in this campaign in particular and in practical social activities in general. Specifically addressing future journalists, Ms. Nguyen Van Anh expressed her hope that the younger generation of journalists will bring about changes in awareness and behavior regarding gender equality.

Following the opening remarks, students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities listened to the content, rules, and Q&A session on gender equality related to the "Working Together for Gender Equality" media competition.