“My painting is about a dream where school is without gender-based violence; where all the boys and girls can study and play together in a peaceful environment.” - The first prize winner 9 year old Nghiem Thi Thu Van from Hai Duong Province, Viet Nam

On 16 March 2012, the Young Pioneer Council (Youth Union) and UN Women in Viet Nam organized an award ceremony in honour of a children’s painting contest undertaken under the theme of ‘Ending gender-based violence in schools”. The painting contest, part of the UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign, was launched in December 2011 and received more than 2 million entries from children aged 6-15 across Viet Nam.

The global UNiTE campaign was launched by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in 2008. The campaign aims to accelerate progress by mobilizing governments, civil society, young people, the private sector and UN Agencies to stand together to urgently end the global pandemic of violence against women and girls.

During the three month competition, organizers received over 2 million painting entries from children in primary and secondary schools. Among these, 500 paintings were shortlisted and 23 winning paintings were chosen. The award committee brought the 23 artists to Hanoi to receive their prize. More than 100 paintings will be exhibited in the Women’s Museum for public viewing after the ceremony.

UN Women country representative Suzette Mitchell said “The competition has proved to be such a positive event because it has raised awareness about the serious issue of gender-based violence with Vietnamese children of all ages. The paintings reflect what the children have witnessed in real life; their own experiences of violence and their vision for a better world. The paintings send the strong message that gender-based violence must be stopped!”

Across the Asia-Pacific region, women and girls from all social backgrounds continue to be subjected to physical, psychological, sexual and economic violence. Worldwide, anywhere between 15 and 76 percent of women are affected by physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime, with prevalence in most countries ranging from 30 to 60 percent.

In Viet Nam, data from the National Study on Domestic Violence against Women released in 2010 by the General Statistics Office (GSO) and the United Nations shows that Viet Nam is no exception. According to the study, one in three, or 32 per cent, of ever-married women report that they have suffered physical or sexual violence from their husbands at some point in their marriage. Over half of women, 58 per cent, have experienced physical, mental and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. This study, for the first time ever, provides Viet Nam with a solid evidence base on the extent of domestic violence.

Organizers of the event noted that although the topic is difficult and sensitive for children, they have demonstrated how creative they are in expressing their ideas on the topic. The paintings showed that children are aware of the issues of violence against women and girls in their families and schools. This stresses the importance of taking action to end violence against women and girls by actively engaging with this generation of young people.

For photographs from the award ceremony, click here.

For more information, please contact:

Ms Krista Seddon
Communication Officer
UN Women
Tel: +84 4 3942 1495 (ext. 203)
Mob: 0122 845 0112
Email: krista.seddon@unwomen.org