Cooperation to improve the health of adolescents and women in Vietnam

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

The event highlighted the important 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 more than 101 million people, of which more than 20 million are aged 10-24, benefiting from the golden population opportunity. However, besides strong economic development, significant inequalities still exist as the teenage birth rate remains high with 34 births per 1,000 girls aged 15-19 (2023), the teenage pregnancy rate increases to 76/1,000 in the Central Highlands and 115/1,000 in ethnic minority communities.

In addition, there is an unmet need for contraception. Although nearly 59% of women of reproductive age use modern contraception, 10% of married women have an unmet need, rising to 17% of ethnic minority women and 41% of young, unmarried women.

At the same time, reproductive autonomy remains limited. Only about 18% of adolescent girls (15-19 years old) make their own decisions about sexual relations and contraception.

This reality shows that, although Vietnam has made progress in antenatal 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 is key to ensuring equality for all.

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

The MOU outlines how this will be done through three strategic areas: generating data to guide policy, improving systems and capacity, 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 every Vietnamese woman has the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices about her reproductive health.

“Organon is committed to improving women's health and happiness, because when women thrive, families and communities thrive,” said Vo Thi Thuy Ha.

Also speaking on this occasion, Mr. Matt Jackson, UNFPA Representative in Vietnam, pledged to continue efforts to ensure every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe and every adolescent can reach their full potential.

Mr. Matt Jackson, UNFPA Representative in Vietnam, pledged to continue his efforts to accompany Vietnam in gender equality.

“This is at the heart of UNFPA’s commitment to achieving three groundbreaking goals by 2030: Zero unmet need for contraception; Zero preventable maternal deaths; and Zero gender-based violence,” the Representative said.

The event, attended by representatives from UNFPA, Organon, other UN agencies, the Population and Housing Department, the General Statistics Office of Vietnam and population experts, highlighted the importance of cross-sectoral cooperation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in health, education and gender equality. The MoU will come into effect from November 2025, with both parties committing 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