Representatives of the Vietnam Farmers’ Union and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) at the workshop reviewing five years of operation of the 18001768 Hotline. Photo: C.T

The 18001768 Hotline – A Trusted Lifeline for Women and Girls

On June 19, in Nha Trang Ward, Khanh Hoa Province, the Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam Farmers’ Union, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), held a workshop to review the implementation and operation of the 18001768 Hotline, which has been providing support to women and girls experiencing violence since 2021.

The workshop was attended by Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dinh, Vice Chairman of the Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam Farmers’ Union; Mr. Matt Jackson, UNFPA Representative in Viet Nam; Ms. Vi Thanh Hoai, Deputy Director General of the Department of Grassroots Culture, Family and Libraries under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; leaders of the Farmers’ Unions of Khanh Hoa Province, Ho Chi Minh City, Bac Ninh Province, and Dak Lak Province; together with representatives of relevant agencies, development partners, and experts.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dinh emphasized that protecting human rights, particularly the rights of women and girls, has consistently been a priority of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, the Government, and socio-political organizations. Preventing and responding to gender-based violence is not only a legal responsibility but also an important measure to promote gender equality, safeguard human dignity, and foster sustainable social development.

Since its establishment, the 18001768 Hotline has received and handled tens of thousands of calls, providing timely counselling, psychosocial support, information, and referrals to essential services for thousands of women and girls affected by gender-based violence.

The Vietnam Farmers’ Union has always regarded improving the material and spiritual well-being of farmers, while protecting their legitimate rights and interests, as one of its core missions. Within this mission, particular attention has been paid to women farmers, especially those living in rural, remote, mountainous, and ethnic minority areas, where women often face greater risks of violence, limited access to support services, and multiple socio-economic disadvantages.

Against this backdrop, the 18001768 Hotline has become a timely and practical solution, offering information, professional counselling, psychosocial support, and referrals to specialized services for women and girls experiencing violence.

Over the past five years, the hotline has evolved into far more than a telephone counselling service. It has become a trusted lifeline where women and girls can safely seek help, share their experiences, receive emotional support, and be connected to comprehensive protection services when they need them most.

To date, the hotline has handled more than 21,000 calls and provided integrated counselling and support services to over 3,600 women and girls, making an important contribution to Viet Nam’s efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

More Than 21,000 Calls Answered, Over 3,600 Women and Girls Supported

Speaking at the workshop, Mr. Matt Jackson, UNFPA Representative in Viet Nam, emphasized that for many women and girls—particularly those living in rural, remote, and disadvantaged areas—the 18001768 Hotline serves as a critical first point of contact for seeking help. It provides a safe and confidential space where survivors of violence can be listened to without judgment, receive professional counselling, and access essential support services during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Over the past five years, the hotline has handled more than 21,000 calls and provided integrated counselling and support services to over 3,600 women and girls affected by gender-based violence. These achievements reflect not only the effectiveness of the hotline itself but also the dedication of the network of organizations and professionals committed to protecting and empowering women and girls at risk of violence.

Mr. Jackson noted that the hotline's success has been made possible through close coordination with specialized support services, including the Sunshine House network (One-Stop Service Centers), Peace House, the Center for Studies and Applied Sciences in Gender, Family, Women and Adolescents (CSAGA), the National Child Protection Hotline 111, and many other partner organizations.

The close collaboration among these organizations has ensured that survivors are listened to, treated with dignity and respect, and connected to comprehensive support services tailored to their individual needs. This coordinated referral mechanism has also helped minimize the risk of re-traumatization while enabling survivors to access timely and appropriate assistance.

Sharing practical experience at the workshop, Ms. Do Thi Le, a representative of Sunshine House in Quang Ninh Province, explained that the center works closely with the police, healthcare providers, local authorities, and other relevant agencies to provide integrated support for survivors of gender-based violence.

This multi-sectoral coordination mechanism aims to ensure that survivors receive comprehensive assistance, reduce the risk of repeated violence, and improve access to essential protection and support services. As a result, the center has achieved encouraging outcomes. Through referrals from the 18001768 Hotline, 36 cases received comprehensive support, five survivors were provided with emergency assistance, one survivor was arranged temporary shelter, and all 36 cases received psychological counselling and legal assistance. A high proportion of survivors were successfully referred to appropriate support services, demonstrating the effectiveness of the integrated response model.

Expanding Community-Based Support Through the Farmers’ Union Network

Speaking at the workshop, Ms. Do Thi Le, a representative of Sunshine House in Quang Ninh Province, shared practical experience in providing integrated support services for survivors of gender-based violence.

According to Ms. Le, Sunshine House works in close coordination with the police, healthcare facilities, local authorities, and other relevant agencies to ensure that survivors receive comprehensive and timely assistance.

This multi-sectoral coordination mechanism aims to provide holistic support, reduce the risk of repeated violence, and improve survivors’ access to essential protection and support services. As a result, significant progress has been achieved. Through referrals from the 18001768 Hotline, 36 cases received comprehensive support, five survivors were provided with emergency assistance, one survivor was offered temporary shelter, and all 36 survivors received psychological counselling and legal support. A high proportion of cases were successfully referred to appropriate services, demonstrating the effectiveness of the integrated support model.

Sharing local experience, Mr. La Van Doan, Standing Vice Chairman of the Bac Ninh Provincial Farmers’ Union, highlighted a number of practical initiatives implemented to strengthen community awareness and improve access to support services for women and girls experiencing violence.

To date, the Bac Ninh Provincial Farmers’ Union has installed 369 communication billboards at all commune- and ward-level People's Committees and Farmers’ Union offices across the province, ensuring that key messages on domestic violence prevention and gender equality are widely accessible to local communities.

The Union has also organized 138 communication sessions on the Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control and gender equality for nearly 9,100 officials and Farmers’ Union members. Information from these sessions has subsequently reached more than 45,000 local residents through community-based communication activities.

In addition, 450 community dialogues on gender equality have been organized, attracting more than 13,400 participants. Thousands of communication materials, including leaflets and handbooks, have also been distributed to Farmers’ Union branches and grassroots groups throughout the province.

Another notable initiative is the establishment of 10 “Responsible Father” Clubs, each comprising around 30–35 male members. Through regular discussions and practical learning activities, participants are encouraged to strengthen positive parenting skills, improve emotional management, promote shared family responsibilities, and foster respectful relationships within the family.

According to Mr. Doan, these clubs have contributed to changing attitudes and behaviours among men, helping reduce the risk of domestic violence while promoting healthier, more equitable, and happier family relationships.

Through the nationwide network of the Vietnam Farmers’ Union, cases of violence are promptly identified, verified, referred to appropriate support services, and closely monitored throughout the follow-up process. This coordinated approach helps ensure that survivors receive timely, appropriate, and individualized assistance based on their specific needs and local circumstances.

Towards a National Hotline for Preventing and Responding to Domestic Violence

According to representatives of the Vietnam Farmers’ Union, the workshop provided an opportunity to comprehensively review and assess the implementation and operation of the 18001768 Hotline, which has been supporting women and girls experiencing violence since November 2021.

The event also served as a valuable platform for stakeholders to exchange practical experiences, share effective community-based support and referral models, and draw lessons learned from operating the hotline over the past five years. These discussions will contribute to improving service quality and strengthening coordination among organizations involved in supporting survivors of gender-based violence.

Participants agreed that the achievements of the 18001768 Hotline over the past five years demonstrate the importance of a coordinated, survivor-centred approach that places the safety, dignity, and rights of women and girls at the heart of all interventions.

Looking ahead, the Vietnam Farmers’ Union and its partners will continue working closely with relevant ministries, local authorities, and development partners to further improve the hotline's operation, expand its network of support services, and enhance access to comprehensive assistance, particularly for women and girls living in rural, remote, and disadvantaged areas.

A key strategic priority is to upgrade and standardize the 18001768 Hotline as a national hotline for the prevention of and response to domestic violence. The upgraded system is expected to strengthen inter-agency coordination, improve service quality, and ensure that survivors receive timely, accessible, and high-quality support services across the country.

The workshop reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Vietnam Farmers’ Union, UNFPA, government agencies, and partner organizations to building a safer environment for women and girls, preventing gender-based violence, and promoting gender equality as an essential foundation for sustainable and inclusive development in Viet Nam.