Hanoi - Nearly 100 students from Ha Giang and Hanoi participated in the 'Orange Your Dream' Friendship Football Match 2023 held in Hanoi on November 11. The match, organized by UN Women in collaboration with UNESCO, the Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s media centre, and the Football for All Vietnam project, aimed to support the UN's 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign and the national action month for gender equality.
According to Vietnam News Agency, the event emphasized the role of sports in promoting diversity and equality, allowing individuals of all genders to realize their full potential. Caroline Nyamayemombe, Acting Interim UN Women Representative in Vietnam, noted in her opening remarks that sports, particularly football, can unite communities, improve health, alleviate stress, and help control violence.
Violence against women and children is a significant issue in Vietnam. A 2019 government survey revealed that two in three women experienced violence by their husbands at some point in their lives. Additionally, a survey on Sustainable Development Goal indicators for children and women during 2021-2021 indicated that over 68% of children aged 10-14 suffered physical punishment.
The event also provided an educational opportunity for students, who received training from Mai Duc Chung, head coach of the Vietnam women's football team. They engaged in discussions with national female football players and Vietnam's first FIFA female referee, Bui Thi Thu Trang, who serve as role models in Vietnamese sports.