Promoting gender equality, preventing violence in the digital age

On this occasion, Dong Nai Newspaper, Radio and Television reporters had an interview with Mr. HA THANH TUNG, Deputy Director of the Department of Home Affairs on this issue. According to Mr. Ha Thanh Tung, the Action Month is also an opportunity for all levels, sectors and the community to look back at the achievements; at the same time, spread the message of eliminating gender prejudice, ending violence, creating conditions for each individual to develop their potential, contributing to promoting real gender equality.

Positive changes in gender equality work

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

* Gender equality and prevention and response to gender-based violence have always been of concern to the province. Could you tell us about Dong Nai’s outstanding achievements in this field in recent times?

- Gender equality is the foundation of sustainable development, contributing to poverty reduction, improving the quality of human resources, promoting economic growth and building a fair and civilized society. In Dong Nai province, gender equality and prevention and response to gender-based violence have always received attention, many solutions have been implemented and achieved outstanding results.

Many important targets were achieved and exceeded. In the political field, the proportion of female leaders increased sharply: 32.35% of women participated in the Provincial Party Executive Committee; 86.6% of professional agencies under the Provincial People's Committee and 54.7% of Commune-level People's Committees have female key leaders. In the economic field, the proportion of newly established enterprises owned by women accounted for 35%. Achievements in the health sector far exceeded the national target. The work of controlling gender imbalance at birth was highly effective... The work of preventing, detecting and supporting victims of violence through effective community models has contributed to ensuring that 100% of victims of domestic violence and perpetrators receive psychological and legal counseling.

* Despite attention and implementation, the work of gender equality and prevention and response to gender-based violence has not achieved the expected results. So what are the difficulties and challenges, sir?

- Gender bias and the idea of “male superiority and female inferiority” still exist, especially in rural, remote and isolated areas and in some ethnic minority communities, which limits women’s participation in fields and decision-making. Resources dedicated to gender equality activities are limited. Cadres working on gender equality, especially at the grassroots level, currently have to take on many tasks.

In addition, gender-based violence is still complicated. Currently, rapid digital transformation also creates inequality when many women have limited access to technology and digital applications, especially for women in ethnic minority areas. These are major challenges that require stronger coordination between agencies, communities and the whole society to promote real and effective gender equality.

An art performance at the Launching Ceremony of the Month of Action 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 real gender equality and move towards eliminating gender-based violence?

- I think that one unit or individual cannot do it, but needs the cooperation of the whole society. First of all, it is necessary to change awareness and eliminate gender prejudice in the family and society by promoting propaganda, education to raise awareness, and change gender prejudice. Communication needs to be diverse in form, easy to access, especially towards young people and vulnerable groups, helping them understand that men and women have equal rights and opportunities.

In addition, it is necessary to create opportunities for women to access education, employment, capital and technology, and improve digital capacity so that they can be economically independent, participate and actively develop in all areas of social life. At the same time, it is necessary to improve mechanisms and policies and strengthen law enforcement related to gender equality, prevention and control of gender-based violence to protect women and children. Victim support models must be consolidated and expanded, ensuring that all victims of violence have timely and safe access to counseling, legal, medical services and shelter. In particular, it is necessary to promote the role of men in promoting gender equality...

Ensuring safety for women and children in the digital age

* The month of action for gender equality and prevention and response to gender-based violence takes place from November 15 to December 15 every year. In your opinion, what is the significance of the month of action?

- The month of action is a peak period for communication to raise awareness of the whole society on gender equality and prevention and response to gender-based violence, especially protecting women and children - vulnerable groups. The month of action also contributes to enhancing the role, responsibility and coordination effectiveness of all levels and sectors from the province to the grassroots in gender equality and prevention and response to gender-based violence.

Union members, youth, and students participate in the launching ceremony of the Month of Action for Gender Equality and Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence organized by the Provincial People's Committee in 2025. Photo: My Ny

At the same time, it promotes the role, responsibility and initiative of each individual, family, community, agency and organization in implementing gender equality, preventing and responding to violence against women and girls. Thereby, gradually promoting real gender equality, towards eliminating gender-based violence.

To unify the implementation, the Provincial People's Committee issued Plan No. 147/KH-UBND to implement the Month of Action for Gender Equality and Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence in Dong Nai Province in 2025. At the same time, the Launching Ceremony of the Month of Action in 2025 was organized from the provincial to the commune and ward levels.

* The action month has the theme “Gender equality and safety for women and children in the digital age”. How is this theme understood in the current context and what content is expected to be focused on this year’s action month, sir?

- As we know, digital transformation brings many opportunities to access knowledge, jobs, public services, develop digital skills and participate more deeply in the economy, politics and society for women and children. However, digital transformation also brings many new risks such as: cyber violence, online harassment, child abuse in cyberspace, personal information disclosure, discrimination... Therefore, gender equality in the current context does not only stop at creating equal opportunities but also must ensure that they are safe in cyberspace and fully equipped with digital skills, protected from new risks, ensuring "no one is left behind" in the national digital transformation process.

This year’s Action Month will focus on three main contents. These include promoting and educating about gender equality and digital safety skills; promoting the application of technology and social networks to spread propaganda messages about the Action Month; and mobilizing the participation of the whole society in protecting women and children from new forms of violence.

* In order for the Action Month to be successful, what do you think all levels, sectors and communities need to do to contribute to promoting gender equality and preventing and responding to gender-based violence?

- In order for the Action Month to achieve its goals and requirements, I believe that all levels and sectors need to strengthen their leadership and direction responsibilities, ensure synchronous organization of activities and link them with the socio-economic development tasks of each locality. Communication work on gender equality and prevention of violence against women and children must be promoted and innovated in forms suitable for each target group.

In addition, it is necessary to improve the effectiveness of inter-sectoral coordination to promptly detect, support and handle cases of gender-based violence, promote the role of the police, health, judiciary, front and mass organizations in protecting victims. Mobilize the active participation of the community in building a safe environment in families, schools, businesses and residential areas; encourage people to proactively speak out against acts of gender-based violence. Support for vulnerable women and children needs to be focused on through counseling, legal, psychological and livelihood support and expanding models of "trusted addresses", Men's clubs that say no to gender-based violence. In particular, improve digital capacity so that women and children know how to protect themselves safely in cyberspace... By doing these things, I believe that the Action Month will create a clear change, contributing to promoting gender equality and gradually ending violence against women and children in the province.

Nga Son (performed)

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202511/thuc-day-binh-dang-gioi-phong-ngua-bao-luc-trong-ky-nguyen-so-8b71e34/