Vietnam urges protection of women, girls from sexual violence in conflict
Minister Counsellor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, voiced concern over rising incidence of sexual violence that hampers humanitarian access and essential services in conflict areas. He stressed the need to tackle the root causes of gender inequality while ensuring victims remain at the core of response efforts.
Minister Counsellor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN (Photo: VNA)
New York (VNA) – Vietnam called for a comprehensive, victim-centred approach and stronger preventive measures to address sexual violence in conflict zones during the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)’s annual open debate in New York on August 19.
Minister Counsellor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, voiced concern over rising incidence of sexual violence that hampers humanitarian access and essential services in conflict areas. He stressed the need to tackle the root causes of gender inequality while ensuring victims remain at the core of response efforts.
Nguyen proposed prioritising prevention, including the use of information technology in UN peacekeeping missions to bolster early-warning capabilities. He also urged greater protection of critical civilian infrastructure, such as hospitals, clean water systems and shelters, to ensure victims can access recovery and reintegration services.
Highlighting Vietnam’s contributions at the UN, Nguyen noted the country’s role in spearheading the UNSC’s adoption of Resolution 2573 (2021) on protecting essential civilian infrastructure, as well as domestic efforts under its National Strategy on Gender Equality for 2021–2030.
Vietnam pledges to work closely with the global community to prevent sexual violence and protect women and girls in conflict, he said.
The debate was chaired by the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Panama, which holds the Council Presidency for August 2025, and was attended by representatives of more than 70 member states. The debate was themed “Identifying innovative strategies to ensure access to life-saving services and protection for survivors of sexual violence in conflict zones”.
The latest report by the UN Secretary-General, presented by Pramila Patten, Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, revealed an alarming increase in such cases in 2024, with 92% of victims being women and girls.
🍌 Delegates voiced concern over the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war and highlighted growing threats to women and girls when peacekeeping missions conclude. Many called for greater awareness, stronger accountability, an end to impunity for perpetrators, and enhanced protection measures to ensure timely access to essential services for victims./.
Vietnam should adopt a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to addressing violence against women and children, particularly in the context of natural disasters and crises.
Vietnam has been recognised as one of the top 10 countries making the most progress on Goal 5 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals — promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls. This reflects the country’s strong commitment to gender equality and enhancing women’s participation in building a peaceful, cooperative, and sustainable world.
State Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan underscored Vietnam's notable progress in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in recent years, affirming the country's consistent commitment to these priorities.
Minister of Public Security Gen. Luong Tam Quang hosted a reception in Hanoi on September 16 for Nikolai Patrushev, Aide to the President of Russia and Chairman of the Maritime Board.
The top legislator’s attendance at AIPA-46 is made at the invitation of Speaker of the Malaysian House of Representatives Dato' Johari Bin Abdul, who is also AIPA-46 President, while his official visit is made at the invitation of President of the Malaysian Senate Dato’ Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah.
The PM highlighted focal points in the scheme - institutions and policies; management and governance; investment resources with a target of 5% of total public investment for education and 3% for higher education; teacher and talent development; student support; autonomy and innovation in educational institutions; and digital and foreign language capacity.
The Vietnamese community in Japan, now nearly 700,000 strong and the second-largest foreign community in the country, has not only integrated well into the host society but also actively maintained its cultural identity, language and traditions.
Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man's attendance at AIPA-46 shows Vietnam’s proactive, responsible participation in AIPA alongside other member parliaments, and the country’s commitment to broadening its parliamentary relations with nations beyond the region.
The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) has shown strong performance in its role as Vietnam’s leading external communications agency, consistently providing the international community with official information about the country, commented Secretary General of the Swiss-Viet Economic Forum (SVEF) Rachel Isenschmid.
Malaysia hopes that this visit will expand parliamentary exchanges through joint committee participation, staff-level cooperation, and shared capacity-building initiatives, said Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato' Tan Yang Thai.
The documents comprise Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW on international integration in the new situation, Resolution No. 70-NQ/TW on ensuring national energy security through 2030, with a vision to 2045, Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in education and training development, and Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW on some breakthrough solutions to strengthen the protection, care, and improvement of public health.
Defence Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang expressed his hope that collaboration between the Ministry of National Defence of Vietnam and the Maritime Board of Russia will continue to be strengthened on the basis of mutual benefit, in line with international law and the laws of each country.
Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Berris Ekinci affirmed Turkey’s desire to deepen cooperation with Vietnam, noting that since establishing diplomatic ties in 1978, the two countries have maintained effective collaboration in trade, investment, defence industry, culture, and tourism.
The host leader agreed with the Vietnamese diplomat’s proposals to enhance parliamentary cooperation, including promoting the activities of the parliamentary friendship groups and sharing legislative experience, considering them important drivers for bilateral ties.
PM Pham Minh Chinh underscored the importance of solidarity and unanimity between the NA and the Government in performing tasks, including the building of a legal system that promotes a law-governed socialist State of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the entire foreign affairs sector, including the diplomatic service, to continue playing a pioneering role in creating a peaceful and stable environment, and maximising external resources and favourable conditions to spur national development, particularly to achieve the development goals for 2030 and 2045.
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man on September 15 sent a congratulatory message to Chandrapuram Ponnusami Radhakrishnan, who took oath as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (upper house) and Vice President of India.
Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu underscored that preparations for the first congress of the Party Committee of Central Party Agencies for the 2025–2030 tenure must be thorough and meticulous.
At AIPA-46, Vietnam will actively engage and put forward proposals and initiatives to further strengthen regional cooperation, and the role and contribution of parliamentary diplomacy, said Deputy Foreign Minister Le Anh Tuan.
