Childhoods free from violence
Protecting children from violence, abuse and child exploitation
- English
- Tiếng Việt
Challenges
Violence cuts deep into children’s health and mental wellbeing. It can be physical, emotional or sexual and occur in any setting: in the home, at school, in the workplace, online and in the community. Often, it is shrouded in silence.
Cases of violence against girls, boys and adolescents are widespread, while violent discipline by parents is accepted among communities. Exploitation of children, including child labour, sexual exploitation and trafficking are serious concerns that remain largely in the shadows. Online child abuse is an alarming and growing threat, an environment where girls and boys have limited self protect skills.
Nearly three-quarters of children experience violent discipline at home, one million children are engaged in child labour – half in hazardous work – one-in-five are victims of cyberbullying, and one-in-five adolescents face a mental health issue.
All children have the right to protection from violence, regardless of the nature or severity of the act.
Solutions
Protecting children and adolescents from violence, abuse and exploitation is at the core of UNICEF’s mission. We are at the forefront of efforts to ensure all children and adolescents in Viet Nam live free from threats that put their futures at stake.
UNICEF contributes to improving the legal framework on child protection. This includes advocating for the change of Viet Nam’s legal definition of a “child”. The Child Law and Penal Code established that a child is a person under-16 years, while the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was ratified by Viet Nam, protects all children under 18. UNICEF also supports improving child protection knowledge, skills and case management for managers and frontline staff working in social welfare agencies, communities, health care facilities, schools and mass organizations.
In order to create a safe and nurturing environment for young children, we prioritize supporting parents and caregivers to strengthen their parenting skills through community-based courses and online resources. The private sector is a key partner to roll-out parenting skills programmes for non-violent and positive care practices, delivered in the workplace.
UNICEF also raises awareness through nationwide communication campaigns, such as Blue Heart, calling for public efforts to realize violence-free environments in the home, at school, in the community and online.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact across the world. Efforts to contain the coronavirus are vital to the health of the world’s population, but they are also exposing children and women to increased risks of violence, including maltreatment, gender-based violence and sexual abuse. Recent reports from countries in COVID-19 emergency have shown that restrictions in movement, social isolation and similar containment measures coupled with existing or increased social and economic pressures on families are leading to an increase in violence, particularly against women and children. In many countries around the globe, domestic violence has increased from 30% to 300%. In Viet Nam, 21 million children were at home as schools were closed during social distancing. This new reality has direct implications on child care patterns, protection and safety.
UNICEF, UN Women and UNFPA partner with the Government and other international organizations including Plan International, ChildFund, Save the Children, World Vision and others to launch the BlueHeart Communication Campaign to raise awareness on the increased risks of violence against children and women in Viet Nam in these contexts and call for actions from the general public, parents, caregivers and children as well as policy makers to stand against violence. The campaign is supported by a large number of celebrities and influencers who are amplifying the voices to end violence.
Join our campaign.
Send a blue heart – a symbol of love, non-violence and hope as a commitment to end
violence and protect children and women.
For details please visit: http://blueheart.org.vn/
#BlueHeart #SayNo2VIOLENCE #ProtectChildren #Safety4Women
You can be the change for children!
Help UNICEF provide children and families with critical essential services for health and nutrition, education and protection.
Impacts
UNICEF’s goal is that by 2026, all children and adolescents will be better protected from violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect through inclusive and effective child protection, childcare and justice systems. This means parents, guardians and policymakers are empowered with the knowledge and skills to tackle harmful behaviours and realize safe environments for all children. This will help ensure that all children and adolescents, current and future generations, will grow up free from violence and child exploitation.