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ILO Holds Mekong Women's Forum in Vietnam

Leading women from across the GMS unite to intensify action against human trafficking, discrimination and labour/sexual exploitation

Women activists from across the Greater Mekong Sub-region gathered in Viet Nam during the week of 12-13 July 2007 to intensify their efforts in combating human trafficking and the related discrimination, labour and sexual exploitation endured by thousands of young women across the sub-region.

Hosted by the Viet Nam Women's Union, and supported by the International Labour Organization, The Mekong Women's Forum attracted approximately 100 participants and observers to the two-day event in Hanoi.

The Forum was opened by Ms. Ha Thi Khiet,  Preseident of the Viet Nam Women's Union and Ms. Sachiko Yamamoto, the ILO's Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific.  Dr. Saisuree Chutikul, distinguished member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination of Women and a recognised expert on human trafficking in the GMS was the keynote speaker for the forum.

The Forum, with its theme "Women*s Solidarity & Empowerment in Action against Human Trafficking and Discrimination" provided an opportunity for women's organizations from across the GMS to showcase the work they are already doing to prevent trafficking of women and children and help those who have already been victimized by the related sexual and labour exploitation that results.

From the establishment of migrant women's homes in China, to village savings-and-loan schemes in Lao PDR, awareness-raising in rural Viet Nam, to name but a few, these Women*s Unions and organizations are arming young women with the information they need to avoid discrimination and the trafficking and migration-related exploitation. Some of these projects will be on display and interviews with key participants can be arranged upon request.

Among those who attended the Mekong Women's Forum were high-level representatives from Government - including senior officials involved in the Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative against Trafficking in the GMS (COMMIT) - as well as delegates from Workers' and Employers' Organizations from five countries: Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Thailand
and Viet Nam.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Allan Dow
Communications Officer
ILO Mekong Sub-regional Project to Combat\ Trafficking in Children and Women
Thailand
Tel: (66-2) 288 2057
E-mail: dow@ilo.org

Ms. Duong Thi Xuan
Head of IEC Department,
Viet Nam Women's Union
39 Hang Chuoi Street,
Hanoi, Viet Nam
Tel. (84-4) 9719916
E-mail : xuan_iec@yahoo.com

Available Downloads

Press Release Mekong Women's Forum