Promoting gender equality and preventing gender-based violence in the digital era

The Action Month for gender equality and prevention and response to gender-based violence takes place annually from November 15 to December 15. The month aims to raise awareness and strengthen the responsibility of authorities, sectors at all levels and the entire society, while mobilizing collective efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, particularly in the digital era.

On this occasion, a reporter from Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television interviewed Ha Thanh Tung, Deputy Director of the Department of Home Affairs, on this issue. According to him, the Action Month is also an opportunity for authorities, sectors, and the community to review achieved results while spreading the message of eliminating gender stereotypes, ending violence, and creating conditions that allow each individual to realize their potential and contribute to fostering substantive gender equality.

Positive changes in promoting gender equality

Deputy Director of the Department of Home Affairs Ha Thanh Tung. Photo: Nga Son

* Gender equality and the prevention and response to gender-based violence have always receivedattention from the provincial government. Could you highlight Dong Nai’s notable achievements in this field in recent years?

- Gender equality is the foundation of sustainable development. It helps reduce poverty, improve human resources, boost economic growth, and build a fair and civilized society. In Dong Nai, promoting gender equality and preventing gender-based violence have been prioritized, with various measures implemented and significant results achieved.

Many key targets have been met or surpassed. In politics, the proportion of women in leadership positions has increased notably: women account for 32.35% of the Provincial Party Committee, and 86.6% of specialized agencies under the Provincial People’s Committee, while 54.7% of commune-level People’s Committees have female key leaders. In the economic sector, women-owned businesses make up 35% of newly established enterprises. Achievements in healthcare have exceeded national targets, while efforts to control sex imbalance at birth have proven highly effective. Community-based models for prevention, detection, and support for victims of violence also operate effectively, helping ensure that 100% of domestic violence victims and perpetrators receive psychological and legal counseling.

* Despite these efforts, the implementation of gender equality and the prevention of gender-based violence initiatives have yet to deliver desired outcomes. What challenges remain?

- Gender stereotypes and the mindset of “valuing men over women” still persist, especially in rural, remote, and ethnic minority areas, limiting women’s participation and decision-making. Resources dedicated specifically to gender equality remain insufficient, and most officers in charge of gender equality at grassroots level must shoulder multiple responsibilities.

At the same time, gender-based violence remains complex. Rapid digital transformation has also created new forms of inequality, as many women, especially ethnic minority women, still face barriers in accessing technology and digital tools. These are major challenges that require stronger coordination among agencies, communities, and the entire society to ensure substantive and effective gender equality.

A performance is held at the launching ceremony of the Action Month for gender equality and prevention and response to gender-based violence organized by the provincial People’s Committee in 2025.

* In your opinion, what needs to be done to achieve substantive gender equality and eliminate gender-based violence?

- From my perspective, no individual or organization can address this issue alone. It requires a collective effort from society. First, there’s a need to change awareness and eliminate gender stereotypes both at home and in the community through strengthened communication and education. Communication should be diverse, accessible, and especially targeted toward young people and vulnerable groups, helping them understand that men and women have equal rights and opportunities.

It is also crucial to create opportunities for women to access education, employment, financial resources, and technology, while improving digital skills so that women can be economically independent and actively participate in social life. At the same time, policies and laws on gender equality and prevention of gender-based violence must be improved and effectively enforced to protect women and children. Support models for victims must be strengthened and expanded to ensure that all victims receive timely and safe access to counseling, legal aid, healthcare, and emergency shelters. In particular, men must be encouraged to take a more active role in promoting gender equality.

Ensuring safety for women and children in the digital era

* The Action Month for Gender Equality and Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence runs from November 15 to December 15 every year. What significance does this month hold?

- The Action Month serves as a peak communication campaign to raise public awareness of gender equality and the prevention of gender-based violence, especially the protection of women and children,those most vulnerable to harm. The Action Month also helps strengthen the role, responsibility, and coordination among authorities from provincial to grassroots level.

Youth union members and students participate in the launching ceremony of the Action Month for gender equality and prevention and response to gender-based violence organized by the Provincial People’s Committee in 2025. Photo: My Ny

It also emphasizes the proactive role of each individual, family, community, agency, and organization in promoting gender equality and preventing violence against women and girls, contributing to substantive progress and eventually eliminating gender-based violence.

To ensure consistent implementation, the Provincial People’s Committee has issued Plan No. 147/KH-UBND on carrying out the Action Month across Dong Nai province in 2025, and has organized launching ceremonies from provincial to commune level.

* This year’s theme is “Gender equality and safety for women and children in the digital era.” What does this theme mean in today’s context, and what will be the key focus areas of the Action Month?

- As we all know, digital transformation offers many opportunities for women and children to access knowledge, employment, public services, digital skills development, and deeper participation in economic, political, and social activities. However, it also brings new risks such as cyberviolence, online harassment, child abuse in cyberspace, data breaches, and discrimination. Therefore, promoting gender equality today requires not only providing equal opportunities but also ensuring online safety, equipping women and children with digital skills, and protecting them from emerging risks, ensuring that “no one is left behind” in the national digital transformation process.

This year’s Action Month will focus on three main areas: communication and education on gender equality and digital safety skills; leveraging technology and social media to amplify campaign messages; and mobilizing the participation of the entire community in protecting women and children from new forms of violence.

* To ensure the Action Month is effective, what should authorities and the community do to promote gender equality and prevent gender-based violence?

- To achieve its goals, authorities must strengthen leadership and coordination to ensure consistent activities aligned with local socio-economic development tasks. Communication on gender equality and violence prevention must be intensified and tailored to different target groups.

Besides, the coordination between agencies must also be strengthened to detect, support, and handle cases of gender-based violence promptly. Forces such as police, healthcare, justice, the Fatherland Front, and mass organizations must work together to protect victims. Communities should actively help create safe environments in families, schools, workplaces, and residential areas, and encourage people to speak up against gender-based violence. Particular attention should be given to supporting vulnerable women and children through counseling, legal aid, psychological support, livelihood assistance, and the expansion of “trusted address” models and men’s clubs advocating against gender-based violence. Strengthening digital skills will help women and children protect themselves online. Indoing so, the Action Month can generate meaningful change, promote gender equality, and gradually eliminate violence against women and children in the province.

By Nga Son (interview conducted) – Translated Thuc Oanh, Thu Ha