Speaking up for gender equality

The event was organised by UN Women, the Embassies of Canada, Norway, New Zealand and Switzerland, the Vietnam Women's Museum, the National Volunteer Centre, the Plan International Vietnam, and the Hanoi Public Transport Management and Operation Centre at United Nations International School of Hanoi (UNIS Hanoi).

The event began with “Journey for Gender Equality”, featuring four buses carrying the message of ending violence against women and girls, which departed from four universities and high schools in Hanoi (Hanoi University of Science and Technology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Transportation and Bac Thang Long High School).

The event saw the participation of the Ambassadors of Norway, New Zealand, and Switzerland and Head of Office of UN Women Vietnam, Country Director of Plan International, Vice President of Youth Union Federation, Mrs. World Wide, Duong Thuy Linh, and over 100 Hanoi students.

On the bus journey, guests and students had the opportunity to exchange and discuss topics related to gender equality.

Four buses carrying the message of ending violence against women and girls kick started the journey for gender equality event. (Photo: UN Women)

The dialogue at UNIS offered the 400 participants the opportunity to listen to 10 speakers in the new Pecha-Kucha presentation format. In the spirit of "No Left Behind" of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, UN Women Vietnam created an open forum on gender issues with representatives of youth, people with disabilities, celebrities, the LGBTIQ + community, the scientific community and people working in both the formal and informal sectors.

Besides stories from the 10 speakers, the event also featured an open panel discussion between female leaders and the audience about their personal experiences in overcoming gender stereotypes to become leaders. The event also honoured singer Hoang Bach for his efforts as Champion of the HeForShe movement in Vietnam for the past three years.

This event marks the start of the Global 16 days of Activism to end Violence against Women and Girls with the global advocacy theme: Orange the World: #HearMeToo (#LangNgheHanhDong).

Following the campaign launch, a series of events in support of the National Action Month to take action against gender-based violence and the Global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based violence will take place across the country to amplify the voices of government agencies, international organisations, civil society and survivors in the fight to end all forms of gender-based violence.