Campaign putting an end to domestic abuse

Danielle Plesser

SOC202

November 28, 2008, 4:10 PM

November 25 was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Going along with this, a press conference in Hanoi took place on that day, and a campaign was launched to “raise public awareness of gender equality issues and to highlight men’s responsibilities in preventing violence against women.” This campaign was organized by Paz Y Desarollo, a Spanish NGO, along with some Vietnamese organizations like the Vietnamese Peasants’ Association. Until March 2009, they will work to get the word out about domestic violence through pamphlets, films, parades and other such media.

When I read this article, I had several thoughts. One was, sadly, proof that I am very Americanized in my view of news. Honestly, I was surprised to hear about an event taking place where the US was wholly uninvolved. That seems like it should be obvious- the US isn’t involved in everything that happens all the time. But it still surprised me, and that made me sad, that I assume that no news will be broadcast unless the US is somehow involved.

Next, I was saddened to hear that Vietnam has such an issue with violence like this. I wonder what the situation is for more rural areas, since the statistics given in the article focus more on the larger cities in the country. Since the Vietnamese Peasants’ Association is involved, I somehow assume this is a nationwide issue.

Finally, I know that I mock the idea of just fundraising, but I also worry that ‘informing’ people might be a little ineffective towards achieving the goals of the campaign. Maybe I’m just overly pessimistic, or maybe I’ve only ever lived around people who I just assume KNOW that domestic violence is wrong. It sort of seems like no one needs to be taught that it’s wrong, people just need to learn not to remain silent about it. I do like that the article mentioned the campaign’s focus on “men’s responsibilities.” Too many of these campaigns concentrate only on the women of the nation, it seems.

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/social/2008/11/815438/