The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) on January 16 jointly launched a project to prevent violence against women and provide consultations for victims of gender-based violence in Vietnam. Under the $2.56-million project to be implemented in 2018-2020, a support center for victims of violence, especially sexual violence, will be built in the northern province of Quang Ninh. As part of the project, campaigns will also be organized in provinces and cities nationwide to raise the public awareness of preventing violence against women. In Vietnam, 34% of married women suffer from violence while 54% experience spiritual violence from their husbands. Half of the victims keep silent and 87% of them do not seek for helps. Every year, domestic violence washes out 1.41% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). (Bao Dan Sinh Jan 17; Tuoi Tre - Youth, VOV Jan 16)
