The running race to say NO to gender-based violence. (Source: UNFPA)

The running race was organized in Yen So park, Hanoi by the Center for Studies and Applied Sciences in Gender – Family – Women and Adolescent (CSAGA) as commissioned by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Vietnam in partnership wth the Government of Australia.

Hundreds of students from the Hanoi University of Science and Technology joined the race to show their roles and shared responsibilities in raising public awareness and changing people’s attitudes and behaviours so as to respect and protect women and girls and end domestic and gender-based violence.

The race also attracted the participation of representatives from social organisations, diplomatic missions, the UN agencies in Vietnam whose work focus on promoting gender equality and protecting women and girls.

With the slogan “Break The Silence, Stop The Violence”, the running race is one of many joint efforts of CSAGA, UNFPA, and the Government of Australia, together with other stakeholders to end violence against women and girls.

This running race is part of the Annual Action Month for Gender Equality, and Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence, which is set in Vietnam from 15 November to 15 December.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Pauline Tamesis, UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, stressed: “I am calling on everyone to help us spread the message of the Race today and act as an agent for change towards ending domestic and gender-based violence in Vietnam, thus building a country where all women and girls are respected and protected.”

For his part, the Australian Deputy Ambassador Mr. Mark Tattersall, emphasized: “Let the vibrant energy from this Run reach people across Vietnam, so that people know violence is not acceptable, that bystanders to violence against children and women do not stay silent, and that services and support to break the cycle are increasing in Vietnam.”

The race also attracted the participation of representatives from social organisations, diplomatic missions, the UN agencies in Vietnam whose work focus on promoting gender equality and protecting women and girls. (Source: UNFPA)

Ms. Nguyen Van Anh, Director of CSAGA, said: “A happy society is the one where all people, including women and children, are safe and healthy. We are here today, to run together to become stronger and happier and spread the message that life is full of happy moments thanks to love, respect, protection and care for ourselves and for others.”

Before the running, the participants shared hundreds of messages calling for the elimination of gender-based violence and showing their respect and protection of women and girls. The three most meaningful messages were selected.

A mini-game was also organised, aiming at disseminating knowledge and information about gender equality and gender-based violence.

The running race was organized in Yen So park. (Source: UNFPA)