Activity
ACDC and the Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) collaborated to host a training session on the subject of preventing gender-based violence against persons with disabilities in Quang Tri province on March 16 and 17, 2023. More than 41 representatives from communal health stations, legal aid offices, OPDs, and women's unions from districts including Huong Hoa, Dakrong, and Hai Lang attended the course. The program was designed to increase participants' understanding of gender-based violence against women with disabilities as well as their capacity to identify, screen for, and handle such situations.
With the introduction and instruction of Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha – a gender expert from Hagar Vietnam, participants understood fundamental knowledge about gender-based violence, for instance, its conception, types, consequences, trauma, and consequences after trauma, etc. Particularly, trainees had the opportunity to practice analyzing and managing real cases in their localities through six steps, comprising collecting information, evaluating, planning, implementing, reviewing – assessing, and closing the cases. In addition, ACDC officer introduced and connected participants to the network supporting gender-based violence victims in their localities through the Zalo group formed in 2022 by the project, which will enhance the effectiveness of information sharing and timely support for persons with disabilities.
Feedback from participants after the training:
Mr. N.X.H – A legal official in Huong Hoa district shared: “This training program has been really beneficial to me. The trainer provided us with thorough instructions on how to handle situations of gender-based violence committed locally by individuals with disabilities. I have few opportunities to study and learn knowledge related to gender-based violence in general and towards persons with disabilities in particular, so my experience in intervening when encountering such cases is very limited. After this training, I feel more confident if there are such cases in my commune.”
Mr. V.D.H – A health official in Hai Lang district said: “A case of gender-based violence in my commune has just been resolved. Due to her husband's violence behaviors, the woman needs to be hospitalized while the husband has gone to re-education. Consequences would not be as severe if only local officials had the knowledge and abilities necessary to manage these cases. I hope that more training programs like this one will be offered so that we can increase our capacity and provide better support for people, particularly those with disabilities.”
The activity is within the project “Raising Voices, Creating Opportunities” phase II, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by ACDC in Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, and Quang Nam provinces.
