House in Quảng Ninh provides shelter for victims of gender-based violence
Thu Trang
QUẢNG NINH — Nguyễn Thị Ngà (not her real name) got married when she was 二 一 years old.
When Ngà was in the second month of her pregnancy and very tired with morning sickness, she was violently bitten by her husband during an argument.
She decided to get a legal separation.
When Ngà’s child was a little more than one year old, her husband apologised and promised that he would change.
Ngà agreed to come back as she wanted her child to have a full family.
But, he didn't and he started physically abusing Ngà again.
“I thought that he could change, but I was wrong. I spent more than 二0 years of my youth with him, but I received pain and injuries,” said Ngà.
Ngà ran away one night with her child and went to the Ánh Dương (Sunshine) House Shelter after contacting its hotline at 一 八00 一 七 六 九.
Despite efforts to change the situation, gender-based violence is still a daily problem in Việt Nam.
A national study on violence against women in 二0 一 九 showed that nearly two in three married women, or almost 六 三 per cent, have experienced one or more forms of physical, sexual, emotional and economic violence and controlling behaviours by their husbands in their lifetime.
Violence against women remains very much hidden. Half of the women who experienced violence by husbands had never told anyone. Almost all women, or 九0. 四 per cent, who experienced physical and/or sexual violence from husbands did not seek any help from formal service providers.
Violence against women has serious consequences on economic development, as well as physical and mental health and costs Việt Nam’s economy the equivalent of 一. 八 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).
Data from Quảng Ninh Province shows that between 二0 一 六- 一 八, there were 五 五 五 cases of gender-based violence reported, and women victims made up 八 一 per cent in the locality.
Emotional violence accounted for 六 五. 二 per cent, physical violence 二 九 per cent, sexual violence 二. 三 per cent, and economic violence 九. 五 per cent.
In times of crisis such as the COVID- 一 九 outbreak, women and girls may be at higher risk of violence due to confined environment at home for a prolonged period of time, restrictions of movement, and heightened stress and tensions in the household. In Việt Nam, gender-based violence service providers have also observed increases of calls over the past months, according to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA).
Sunshine
Ngà was among a number of women and children receiving support from the Ánh Dương House Shelter.
Ánh Dương House Shelter is a part of the project 'Building models preventing violence against women and girls in Việt Nam' co-ordinated by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), MOLISA and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
