Life Facts

Life Facts

Statement by Executive Director Ann M. Veneman concerning UNICEF support for China's disaster relief efforts

Statement by Executive Director Ann M. Veneman concerning UNICEF support for China's disaster relief efforts

Press Releases

Press Releases

Ms Nane Annan visits UNICEF's Beijing Child Injury Prevention Project

Ms Nane Annan visits UNICEF's Beijing Child Injury Prevention Project

First AIDS Youth Ambassadors announced in China, UNICEF co-hosts launch event at the Great Wall.

First AIDS Youth Ambassadors announced in China, UNICEF co-hosts launch event at the Great Wall.

National Symposium on Girls' Development

National Symposium on Girls' Development

CCTV-organized the Asia-Pacific Children's TV Festival

CCTV-organized the Asia-Pacific Children's TV Festival

UNICEF Executive Director's visit to Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and to speak at Beijing+10

UNICEF Executive Director's visit to Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and to speak at Beijing+10

Ms Veneman visited Yinchuan No.4 Kindergarten, Minle Mosque and Language Training Centre in Yinchuan

Ms Veneman visited Yinchuan No.4 Kindergarten, Minle Mosque and Language Training Centre in Yinchuan

Ms Veneman visited Yanchi county

Ms Veneman visited Yanchi county

Speaks at Beijing+10

Speaks at Beijing+10

UNICEF Executive Director visits China (28 Aug - 5 Sept 2004)

UNICEF Executive Director visits China (28 Aug - 5 Sept 2004)

STATEMENT: GOODWILL AMBASSADORS AND UNICEF-CHINA

STATEMENT: GOODWILL AMBASSADORS AND UNICEF-CHINA

UNICEF Representative wins prestigious Chinese award

UNICEF Representative wins prestigious Chinese award

UNICEF Ambassadors visiting children affected by HIV/AIDS in Shanxi province

UNICEF Ambassadors visiting children affected by HIV/AIDS in Shanxi province

UNICEF Executive Director visits China (23-26 Feb 2005)

UNICEF Executive Director visits China (23-26 Feb 2005)

Bellamy - "when China achieves, the World achieves"

Bellamy - "when China achieves, the World achieves"

2004 Asian Football Cup

2004 Asian Football Cup

Publications

Publications

Data Box

Data Box

 

Vietnamese and Chinese children share views and concerns on cross border trafficking

© UNICEF/China/Masako Shimo

HANOI, 28 August 2006 – More than one hundred Vietnamese and Chinese children gathered today at a first-ever Children's Forum on cross border trafficking between Viet Nam and China.

The historic forum provided 120 children aged 11 to 18 from the Viet Nam-China border provinces of Guangxi, Yunnan (China), Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Hung Yen, and Bac Giang (Viet Nam) an official opportunity to express their views, concerns and give recommendations on prevention of cross border trafficking of women and children. Also participating in the forum were Vietnamese and Chinese government officials, representatives from mass organizations, UNICEF country offices in Viet Nam and China, and international organizations in Viet Nam.

The initiative was jointly implemented by the Viet Nam Women's Unions and All China Women's Federation with technical assistance and support from UNICEF in response to the estimated thousands of Vietnamese women and girls at risk of trafficking or being trafficked to China as well as Chinese children being trafficked through Viet Nam-Cambodia border.
 
Child victims of trafficking are severely abused in many forms, including prostitution, forced marriage and forced hazardous labor. They also often are subjected to psychological torture, violence, sexual abuse and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS.

"Trafficking in women and children flagrantly violates their rights. We must respect children's views. Children also need to actively participate in the prevention of trafficking and combating against this unacceptable crime. Let's unite against trafficking in women and children for a better future", said Mm. Nguyen Thi Oanh, Vice Chairperson of the Viet Nam Women's Union.

Prior to the forum, children participated in a two-day workshop where they shared their experiences and discussed the tremendously negative impacts of trafficking on their lives. Children also voiced their recommendations on cross-border coordination between Viet Nam and China and gave suggestions on how to improve the prevention of trafficking as well as the protection, care and support of child victims.

"Hearing the voices and stories of children of this heinous form of abuse is a sobering reminder that there needs to be deterrent messages, law enforcement collaboration, and international, regional and national strategic coordination to effectively prevent and tackle human trafficking, including the sex trafficking of girls and women," said UNICEF Viet Nam Representative Jesper Morch.

The forum has made a significant contribution to improving the capacity and role of Vietnamese and Chinese children as an important stakeholder in the fight against trafficking in children and women. The children's key messages will be presented to Vietnamese and Chinese officials and will directly feed into the development of national strategies, policies and programs as well as the bilateral Viet Nam-China cooperation plans and programs on prevention and protection of child victims of trafficking.

UNICEF in Viet Nam and China will continue to assist the relevant ministries and organizations to effectively tackle the problems of cross border trafficking in women and children between the two countries.