Society

Lesson 2: Salvation for the Fates

Diep Thanh, Thanh Nga • November 29, 2024 09:20

In the “nightmare” of domestic violence, the project “Improving the capacity of officials and public awareness to improve access to support services for women and children affected by gender-based violence” implemented by HAGAR International in Vietnam is a “lifesaver” for the lives of abused women and children. With the enthusiastic and responsible participation of local members, the project has sparked new hopes for unfortunate lives.

Thanh Nga - Diep Thanh | Publication date: November 27, 2024

LESSON 2:
Salvation for lives

In the “nightmare” of domestic violence, the project “Improving the capacity of officials and public awareness to improve access to support services for women and children affected by gender-based violence” implemented by HAGAR International in Vietnam is a “lifesaver” for the lives of abused women and children. With the enthusiastic and responsible participation of local members, the project has sparked new hopes for unfortunate lives.

Change in perception

After a period of survey, the Project “Improving the capacity of officials and people’s awareness in improving access to support services for women and children affected by gender-based violence” was implemented in the two communes of Quynh Luong and Quynh Thang, Quynh Luu district. The project aims to enhance the safety, well-being and voice of women and girls who have suffered violence, specifically domestic violence, sexual abuse and those at risk.

One of the first activities of the project was to establish a project board, consisting of prestigious people in the community in the communes. With the goal of 80% of local officials participating in the project being strengthened in their capacity to prevent and combat violence against women and children, the project focused on training to improve the capacity of this force. As the Head of the project board and also the Captain of the Rapid Response Team, Mr. Ho Nguyen Tuan - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Luong commune shared: "I feel lucky to participate in this meaningful project. The first value that the project brings is the change in my own awareness. When the awareness of officials is raised, the people benefit."

At the district and commune levels, after participating in the training, officials have become more active and proactive in handling and supporting cases of gender-based violence. They have followed the principles of supporting victims of violence and have coordinated with each other in supporting cases. Thanks to that, many cases of violence have been approached, creating trust with the community and with victims of violence.

In parallel with training and education, to support victims in a comprehensive and in-depth manner, the Women's Union of Quynh Luu district established two clubs, "Responsible Men" and "New Vitality". Accordingly, these clubs not only provide knowledge about gender equality, violence against women and girls, State regulations, raise awareness of women's rights, help women increase their confidence, change men's perceptions, help men control the factors that cause violence, but also create economic livelihoods for households.

Staying with the victims all night

As an active member of the rapid response team, Mr. Ho Dien Canh (Quynh Thang commune) said: “Our rapid response team is always ready to rescue victims of domestic violence at any time of the day, at any time of the day. There are situations where we have to stay on guard all night, have to take a taxi to secretly take the victim away, have to ask the police to intervene… After convincing the men to join the “Responsible Men” club, project members have to make many trips to their homes to grasp the situation and create close relationships.”

Since taking on the role of Deputy Head of the Project “Improving staff capacity and public awareness to improve access to support services for women and children affected by gender-based violence”, Ms. Bui Thi Thoa - Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Quynh Luong commune has never turned off her phone.

“I was fortunate to have the sisters trust me, confide in me about many family situations, and listen to their suffering. There were hours of counseling sessions to guide victims to escape from the house and find shelter late at night, and there were also victims suffering from depression who came to me every night to share. Because there were stories of violence so terrible, I was haunted for a long time,” Ms. Thoa confided.

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Listening to the suffering of victims of domestic violence, there are stories so terrible that I am haunted for a long time.

Ms. Bui Thi Thoa - Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Quynh Luong Commune, Quynh Luu District

The dynamism, enthusiasm and responsibility of the club's management team, along with the attention of the Party Committee, People's Committee and Commune Project Management Board, have promoted the effectiveness of the clubs' activities, creating conditions for members to exchange, learn and share solutions to build a developed family, contributing to building a cultural life in the community.

Through the club's activities, 95 cases of violence victims were treated, creating sharing and sympathy in the community; Rapid response team members visited 375 homes, supporting 300 victims of violence; made plans and lists of proposed support for 17 cases of gender-based violence victims, and at the same time referred 1 case of violence victim who was a child who was sexually abused, 1 case with signs of being trafficked...