The purpose of this equipment is to further upgrading the free helpline (1900 96 9680) in order to improve responses to domestic and international calls and reports of violence against women, and to continue to improve the overall quality of the support services for survivors of violence and human trafficking. These supports are part of UN Women's efforts to end violence and trafficking in women in ASEAN.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only had a severe socioeconomic impact but has also increased violence against women and children. Vietnam in particular was most acutely affected by the nation’s fourth wave of COVID-19, which started in April 2021.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mrs. Elisa Fernandez Saenz, UN Women Representative in Vietnam said, “The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with rigorous response measures, has exacerbated pre-existing limitations regarding services to respond to violence against women and children. Therefore, support to upgrade these services is necessary, not only in the context of COVID-19, but in the long term to ensure the dignity, survival and social integration of women who are survivors of violence and human trafficking. UN Women is delighted to accompany Peace House Shelters in this journey.”

In early 2021, within the framework of an urgent response to violence against women and children during the COVID-19 pandemic, and funded by the Australian Government, UN Women donated equipment of nearly 1.5 billion VND ($660,000) to improve the quality of support services for women and child survivors. To overcome systemic challenges posed by limited state budget allocation, UN Women is committed to continue supporting the Peace House Shelters across the nation to upgrade psychological counseling services and to strengthen overall coordination and connection to provide more wholistic support to women and child survivors in Viet Nam.

Mrs. Duong Ngoc Linh, Director of the Center for Women and Development, the agency in charge of Peace House Shelters, thanked UN Women for the efforts and affirmed that, “The equipment given today is a meaningful gift which motivates all employees who are always committed to the peace of women and children. In the meantime, it contributes to the completion of the service package to support women and children experiencing gender-based violence, especially in the context of the COVID-19 crisis.”

The helpline number 1900 96 9680, along with a counseling room, and three Peace House Shelters all run by the Center for Women and Development under the Vietnam Women's Union, were established to provide emergency and comprehensive support services for women and children experiencing domestic violence, sexual abuse and trafficking. After 19 years of operation in Ha Noi, and 4 years in Can Tho, the helpline has counselled on 8,063 cases, amounting to 9,850 survivors over the course of 12,961 calls. In addition, 3,424 women and child survivors of gender-based violence from 50 provinces and 17 ethnic minority regions were supported in-person at Peace House Shelters.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of consultations via both the helpline and social media channels of Peace House Shelters increased 7 times compared to 2019, and in the first six months of 2021, the number of callers increased 140% compared to the same period of 2020. Peace House Shelters have coordinated with local authorities in crisis counseling and emergency intervention, intervening in nearly 30 cases, an increase of 40 percent compared to the same period last year.

If you, or someone you know is currently experiencing or is the survivor of violence, please call 1900 96 9680 for support./.