Collaboration to improve the health of adolescents and women in Vietnam

On November 17th, in Hanoi, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Organon officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand access to accurate, timely, and youth-friendly information on reproductive health and reproductive rights for adolescents and young people across Vietnam.

The event highlighted the crucial role of access to information in helping young people make informed decisions about their bodies, health, and future. (Photo: HNV)

According to statistics, Vietnam currently has over 101 million people, of which more than 20 million are aged 10-24, benefiting from the demographic dividend. However, alongside strong economic development, significant inequalities still exist, with a high rate of teenage pregnancies at 34 births per 1,000 girls aged 15-19 (2023), and teenage pregnancy rates increasing to 76/1,000 in the Central Highlands and 115/1,000 in ethnic minority communities.

Furthermore, contraceptive needs remain unmet. While nearly 59% of women of reproductive age use modern contraceptive methods, 10% of married women still lack access to contraception, a figure that rises to 17% among ethnic minority women and 41% among young, unmarried women.

Simultaneously, reproductive autonomy remains limited. Only about 18% of adolescent girls (15-19 years old) make their own decisions about sex and contraception.

This reality shows that, despite Vietnam's progress in prenatal care and safe childbirth, inequality among adolescents and ethnic minority communities remains a major challenge. Therefore, addressing teenage pregnancy, access to contraception, and self-determination are key to ensuring equal rights for all.

Based on this, the cooperation aims towards the following main objectives: promoting comprehensive, evidence-based reproductive and sexual health education ; addressing knowledge gaps and access to essential services, including family planning services, for adolescents and young people; supporting policies that reflect the realities and needs of young people in a changing demographic context; and encouraging the participation of young people and women in developing policy programs that improve their health and promote their reproductive rights/choices.

The memorandum of understanding outlines how this will be implemented through three strategic areas: creating data to guide policy, improving systems and capabilities, and enhancing community education and innovation.

Ms. Vo Thi Thuy Ha, General Director of Organon Vietnam, spoke at the event.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Vo Thi Thuy Ha, General Director of Organon Vietnam, said that access to accurate information is the foundation of health equity. This partnership aims to ensure that all Vietnamese women have the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices about their reproductive health.

“Organon is committed to improving women’s health and well-being, because when women thrive, their families and communities thrive too,” shared Ms. Vo Thi Thuy Ha.

Also speaking on this occasion, Mr. Matt Jackson, Head of UNFPA in Vietnam, pledged to continue efforts to ensure that every pregnancy is desired, every birth is safe, and every young person can reach their full potential.

Mr. Matt Jackson, Head of UNFPA in Vietnam, pledged to continue working alongside Vietnam on gender equality.

“This is central to UNFPA’s commitment to achieving three breakthrough goals by 2030: no unmet contraceptive needs; no preventable maternal deaths; and no gender-based violence,” the Representative stated.

The event, attended by representatives from UNFPA, Organon, other United Nations agencies, the Vietnam Population and Statistics Department, and population experts, highlighted the importance of inter-sectoral cooperation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in health, education, and gender equality. The Memorandum of Understanding, effective from November 2025, includes a commitment from both parties to continuously evaluate and improve joint initiatives to ensure lasting impact.

HAN NGUYEN

Source: https://nhandan.vn/hop-tac-cai-thien-suc-khoe-thanh-thieu-nien-phu-nu-tai-viet-nam-post923917.html