More essential integrated services for survivors of gender-based violence

The Ngôi nhà Ánh Dương (Sunshine House) is opened for victims of gender-based violence in Hoà Bình northern province. — VNS Photo Thu Trang

Thu Trang

HOÀ BÌNH — Việt Nam’s determination to promote gender equality and address gender-based violence (GBV) has been reaffirmed through the opening of another one-stop service centre in Hoà Bình Province.

The Ngôi nhà Ánh Dương (Sunshine House), the fifth of its kind in Việt Nam, was officially opened on Thursday to provide essential, comprehensive and integrated services to women and girls who experience, or are at risk, of gender-based and domestic violence.

As with all service centres, the house is kitted out to support those living with disabilities, as well as serve local ethnic minority communities.

Sunshine House offers a wide range of services meeting international standards including health care, psychosocial support, counselling, social welfare services, emergency shelter, police protection, legal and justice services and referrals.

A social worker at Sunshine House. Social workers are always ready to give support to the victims at the house. — VNS Photo Thu Trang

The house’s hotline 18008027 is always available, to receive information and calls for help from victims of GBV.

Joint efforts

As in every locality in Việt Nam and every country in the world, gender-based violence remains a critical and alarming issue.

According to the 2019 National Study on Violence Against Women, nearly two in three women aged 15–64 have experienced at least one form of physical, sexual, psychological or economic violence in their lifetime.

This issue remains deeply hidden in Vietnamese society, with over 90 per cent of women who experience violence not seeking help from public services, while half never disclose their experiences to anyone.

These alarming statistics underscore the critical need for a dedicated, survivor-centred facility, like Sunshine House, to address the challenges faced by women and children at risk.

A bedroom for victims of gender-based violence at the Ngôi nhà Ánh Dương. — VNS Photo Thu Trang

Ngôi nhà Ánh Dương in Hoà Bình Province was established under the project 'Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children in Việt Nam 2021–2025' with funds coming from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Government of Australia.

The project’s goals include that all women and children in Việt Nam, including those most vulnerable, are able to live a life free from violence.

The map showing the pathway to offering direct help for the victims. — VNS Photo Thu Trang

The first Ngôi nhà Ánh Dương was opened in Quảng Ninh Province in 2020 by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), with technical and financial support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in partnership with Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

In early 2022, MoLISA opened another house in Thanh Hoá Province, with technical support from UNFPA.

In June 2022, the two additional houses were opened in HCM City and Đà Nẵng City to support survivors of GBV by Centre for Studies and Applied Science in Gender - Family - Women and Adolescents (CSAGA), given its experience with gender-based violence and its close partnerships with local and international organisations and government agencies at all levels.

A dining room in the centre which offers help to victims. — VNS Photo Thu Trang

They have provided integrated services to 1,666 survivors and handled over 26,260 hotline calls.

These centres have set a powerful example of providing comprehensive support to GBV survivors, demonstrating how multi-sectoral coordination, fostered through partnerships with the MoLISA, local authorities and international partners, can transform responses to violence and create safe and accessible pathways to recovery.

Determination

The house’s hotline to call for help is 18008027 and is available at all hours and on all days. — VNS Photo Thu Trang

Deputy Chairman of the Hoà Bình People’s Committee Nguyễn Văn Toàn highlighted the significant contribution of Ngôi nhà Ánh Dương to the province’s efforts to address gender-based violence and domestic violence.

He also confirmed the local authorities’ strong commitment to facilitating the establishment and the effective and sustainable operation of the house.

Deputy Chairman of the Hoà Bình People’s Committee Nguyễn Văn Toàn gives a speech at the house inauguration ceremony. — VNS Photo Thu Trang

“The People’s Committee will issue a regulation on multi-sectoral coordination mechanism, involving the police, the legal sector, the health sector and other relevant sectors to support survivors of GBV systematically and in a timely manner. We will promote communications via various channels and local media to raise the local people’s awareness about the rights of women and children and about the Ngôi nhà Ánh Dương,” he said

The Director of the MoLISA'S Gender Equality Department, Lê Khánh Lương, stated that the house was necessary as it brings the integrated services closer to survivors of gender-based violence.

“The establishment of the first Ngôi nhà Ánh Dương in Quảng Ninh in 2020 and now the fifth one in Hoà Bình shows our joint commitment to eliminating violence against women and children in particular and in achieving gender equality in general.

"Our joint efforts have contributed to the implementation of Việt Nam’s Strategy on Gender Equality 2021-2030, the National Programme on GBV Prevention and Response 2021-2025 and the amended Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control, which was adopted by the National Assembly in November 2022,” said Lương.

MoLISA wants to facilitate the replication of the one-stop service centres across Việt Nam because of the model’s professional operation and long-term impact.

UNFPA Representative in Việt Nam Matt Jackson speaks at the event. — VNS Photo Thu Trang

UNFPA Representative in Việt Nam Matt Jackson affirmed that UNFPA has been collaborating closely with the MoLISA in addressing GBV and in providing support to ensure that survivors of violence are treated with respect and dignity.

“The services to be provided by the Sunshine House are tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual, promoting respect and non-discrimination. Importantly, the services are provided without judgment or stigma. The one-stop service centre also serves as a hub for community education helping to shift harmful social norms and attitudes that perpetuate violence,” he said.

Joint efforts would help to address GBV comprehensively and consistently across Việt Nam, ensuring that all survivors could access timely and quality support services, regardless of their location or situation, he added.

Representatives cut ribbons to open the house in Hoà Bình Province. — VNS Photo Thu Trang

Development Counsellor at the Australian Embassy in Hà Nội, Naomi Cook, also affirmed the importance of the cooperation.

“Ending violence against women and children is the responsibility of all. This project will work to strengthen systems that respond to violence and provide support to survivors. We hope that this long-term, practical approach will make a difference where it matters most and that women and children will be able to seek and receive help when they need it,” she said.

"Every woman and girl in Việt Nam deserves to live a life free from violence, with dignity and opportunity." — VNS