Hanoi Convention: 'Shield' to protect women and children from abuse in cyberspace

On October 26, within the framework of the signing ceremony and the High-Level Conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention), a policy discussion with the theme "Protecting women and children from abuse in cyberspace" took place.

Overview of the Policy Discussion with the theme "Protecting women and children from abuse in cyberspace". (Photo: Jackie Chan)

The seminar was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security in coordination with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) with the participation of Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Tri Thuc, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper, representative of the Canadian Center for Child Protection (C3P Canada) Camillia Layne, representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations.

In her opening remarks at the Dialogue, UNODC Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific Delphine Schantz stressed that, in the context of countries gathering in Hanoi to sign the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, the Dialogue is an important opportunity to reflect on ways to better protect vulnerable people in society, especially women and children, from the harmful effects of cybercrime.

Victims of cybercrime, particularly women and girls, suffer serious psychological, social and economic harm, while perpetrators exploit gaps in legal protections and the ease of online dissemination to act with impunity. The distribution of non-consensual intimate images is an increasingly prevalent and harmful form of online gender-based violence.

UNODC Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific Delphine Schantz speaks at the Dialogue. (Photo: Jackie Chan)

To address these challenges, each country must continuously adapt, including changing the way governments operate and coordinate to respond, investigate crimes, improve laws and legal frameworks, and especially cooperate with partners and stakeholders, according to Ms. Delphine Schantz.

The adoption of the Hanoi Convention has provided various measures to protect women and children from abuse in cyberspace. First, the Convention calls on States to criminalize the distribution of non-consensual intimate images. Second, the Convention reinforces the need to promote partnerships to address cyber-enabled and cyber-dependent crimes. In addition, the Convention calls on States to create victim support systems and measures such as removing harmful content. Furthermore, the Convention also calls on States to work with relevant stakeholders to develop prevention policies.

Ms. Delphine Schantz pointed out that online abuse, including the distribution of non-consensual intimate images (NCII), is a deeply damaging form of gender-based violence. In addressing this, Article 16 of the Convention marks a significant step forward in criminalizing such acts and promoting dignity, safety and justice in the digital space. Similarly, Articles 14 and 15 focus on protecting children from online harm and abuse.

“UNODC has been researching cybercrime for more than 10 years. Through our Global Programme on Cybercrime, we have worked with law enforcement agencies, investigators, prosecutors, judges, public defenders and victim support services around the world. Our work has shown that we cannot face these challenges alone, including training law enforcement on how to handle digital evidence or creating support mechanisms for victims,” Ms. Delphine Schantz emphasized.

“The Dialogue is therefore an opportunity to share national approaches, implementation strategies and the role of international cooperation in ensuring no one is left behind in cyberspace,” said the UNODC Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Tri Thuc speaks at the seminar. (Photo: Thanh Long)

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Tri Thuc said that the seminar is not only an opportunity to review the efforts of each country in protecting people, especially women and children, in cyberspace, but also an opportunity to share experiences, strengthen cooperation and work together towards a safer, healthier and more humane cyber environment.

According to Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Tri Thuc, in recent years, Vietnam has taken strong steps to better protect children in cyberspace. This is reflected in the increasingly improved legal system with many important laws; communication, education, and digital capacity building as an important pillar in child protection; establishment of mechanisms to protect children in cyberspace; functional forces, especially specialized units in charge of cyber security, have deployed many technical and professional measures to detect, prevent and strictly handle acts that harm children in cyberspace; at the same time, international cooperation is considered a key factor in protecting children in the cyber environment.

Despite many positive results, Vietnam still faces many difficulties and challenges in protecting women and children in the online environment. In the spirit of cooperation, responsibility and international solidarity, Vietnam commits to continue to participate proactively and responsibly in global cooperation initiatives and mechanisms on protecting women and children in the online environment.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Tri Thuc expressed his hope that countries, international organizations and digital platforms would increase the exchange of experiences in building policies and laws, promoting social responsibility of technology enterprises, and expanding international cooperation mechanisms, agreements and initiatives to effectively respond to transnational cybercrime. At the same time, the Deputy Minister of Health affirmed that Vietnam is ready to coordinate training, capacity building, transfer and application of new technologies, contributing to better protection of women and children in the digital age.

"I believe that, with our joint efforts and strong commitment to action, the world will build a safe, humane and inclusive cyberspace, where every woman and child is respected, protected and empowered to reach their full potential," Deputy Minister Nguyen Tri Thuc expressed.

At the seminar, delegates emphasized the importance of protecting women and children, vulnerable groups in cyberspace, especially promoting Article 16 of the Hanoi Convention in addressing image-based abuse and promoting safety and dignity online.

At the seminar, delegates emphasized the importance of protecting women and children, vulnerable groups in cyberspace, especially promoting Article 16 of the Hanoi Convention in addressing image-based abuse and promoting safety and dignity online.

On this occasion, delegates shared national legislative approaches and enforcement strategies to protect vulnerable groups in cyberspace. Through exchanges, the Forum focused on examining the challenges in implementing effective legal, technical and victim support measures. Delegates affirmed the importance of promoting international cooperation and exchanging best practices to protect, leave no one behind and ensure justice for victims in the digital age.

The discussion took place on October 26, within the framework of the signing ceremony and the High-Level Conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention). (Photo: Jackie Chan)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/cong-uoc-ha-noi-la-chan-bao-ve-phu-nu-va-tre-em-khoi-bi-xam-hai-tren-khong-gian-mang-332264.html