Hanoi (VNA) – A policy dialogue on “EnsuringChild Right of being protected from all forms of discrimination” took place inHanoi on November 7 to advocate the enforcement of policies and law on childrights.

The event was held by the Department of Child Affairs atthe Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Vietnam Associationfor Protection of Children’s Rights (VAPCR), the Management and SustainableDevelopment Institute (MSD) and Save the Children in Vietnam.

The dialogue aimed to raise awareness among parents,child caregivers, teachers, journalists and social workers of children’s right tobe protected from all forms of discrimination, and at the same time, discussedways to improve laws and the enforcement of laws on protecting children’srights.

In her opening remarks, MSD Director Nguyen Phuong Linhsaid a study conducted by the MSD in 2018 found that an environment that lackstrust, sharing and support for children at home, school and in society harms children.This why most of discriminated children choose to stay silent and do nothing tostop it, Linh said.

In fact, many parents, teachers and other adults often unintentionallydiscriminate against children on the grounds of their gender, disability,capacity, family background and other factors, she noted.

Parents and teachers usually compare a child to others tomotivate the child to perform at par with their peers, not knowing that it isdiscriminatory behaviour in terms of personal characteristics and capacity, shesaid. In many cases, this approach harmed children as they may feel hurt, angryand even resent their parents, teachers and those they are compared with, sheexplained.

Discrimination against children for their family status isalso common at schools, she added.

During the dialogue, many participants voiced concernover the fact that children living on the streets, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexualand transgender) children and those with HIV and disabilities face greaterdiscrimination. They stressed the need to adopt measures to protect all groupsof children from being unfairly treated.

Vuong Khai Phong, an expert on LGBT from the Institutefor Studies of Society, Economy and Environment (iSEE), said a survey by iSEEshows that about 60 percent of LGBT children said they were forced to changetheir hairstyle or the way they dress; 24.9 percent of those discriminated usedto think of suicide and 19 percent have made a suicide attempt. Only 12 percentof them had encourage to speak out and report the problems.

The survey also found that most teachers believed thereis no discrimination at their schools but up to 85 percent of LBGT childrensaid their schools did not act to prevent discrimination.

Phong suggested LGBT issues be included in curriculum orextra academic activity at schools to improve awareness among students,teachers and parents of these vulnerable people. He also urged for the developmentof policies to support disadvantaged LGBT children to reduce discrimination.

Changing the environment around children and adults’perception and behaviour will help prevent discrimination against children, LeThi Khanh Van, a child expert, said.

It is necessary to launch campaigns with stronger actionsto change the environment around the children to facilitate fair treatment forthem, she added. –VNA