NGOs share experiences in gender-based violence policy in ASEAN

Representatives from non-governmental organisations from ASEAN countries gathered for a workshop opened in Hanoi on May 10, discussing NGO experience in gender-based violence (GBV) policy for an ASEAN without gender based violence.

The event is an initiative of the Gender-based Violence Prevention Network (GBVNet) facilitated by CARE International in Vietnam and the Centre for Studies and Applied Sciences in Gender, Family, Women and Adolescents (CSAGA), and funded by the Australian Government. Reports at the workshop showed that the ASEAN region has seen significant progress in addressing violence against women in recent years through concerted policy action at both the regional and national levels. Most ASEAN member states have enacted dedicated national laws on violence against women and/or domestic violence, while some have developed National Action Plans to support the implementation of laws and policies. Government and civil society actors have provided services for women and girls who have experienced violence, including shelters, hotlines and One Stop Crisis Centres while police stations with dedicated women’s and children’s desks are now operating in several countries. Many countries have also implemented awareness-raising campaigns to reduce acceptance of violence against women. Speaking at the opening, Director of the Family Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Tran Tuyet Anh affirmed Vietnam’s strong efforts to secure equal rights for women and girls through a range of laws and policies, adding that the country has achieved positive results in addressing violence against women and girls and ensuring their rights that has been widely recognised by the international community. Anh also noted that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has submitted important documents to the government on interdisciplinary co-ordination regulations on domestic violence prevention and a national education programme on family. The issuing of such documents in the coming time will facilitate relevant ministries, agencies and localities to develop practical action and information programmes on gender equality, she said. According to a study conducted by the Institute for Social Development Studies (ISDS) in 2016, the belief that it is natural for men to commit violence against woman because they have that right is still common. Most cases of domestic violence (98.57%) are not reported. Furthermore, GBV negatively impacts Vietnam’s economy and productivity. According to UN Vietnam, the economic loss due to GBV represented nearly 1.41% of the country’s gross domestic product in 2010. On average, women experiencing violence earn 35% less than those not abused. Ambassador of Canada to Vietnam David Devine stressed the importance of addressing GBV to achieve social balance, saying that it is necessary for governments to look into social balance issues such as gender equality and changing social norms to help promote the role of women and girls. Recent research on the experiences of civil society organisations (CSOs) in influencing GBV policy in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam shows that CSOs in ASEAN countries face obstacles in advocating for laws and policies to prevent and respond to GBV, including the legal environment in which they operate, funding, and their own organisational capacity. CSOs have had more success in advocating for policies related to GBV in the home than in public spaces and have found that “one-off” advocacy initiatives rarely work. The two-day regional workshop offers an opportunity for NGOs to discuss GBV policy, particularly as ASEAN member countries, including Vietnam, are building laws and enforcement guidelines for the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). It also helps the network of NGOs in the region to closely co-operate to work more effectively on the development and implementation of GBV policies. Delegates at the event will discuss topics related to the development and implementation of policies and laws to prevent and respond to GBV, the relationship between GBV policy development and social changes, challenges and measures to GBV policy development, and an ASEAN action plan on eliminating violence against women and chances for further co-operation.

Source: Nhan Dan