The programme is expected to benefit over 2,000 students and 300 teachers and staff at the Hanoi National University of Education, the Thai Nguyen University of Education, and Hong Duc University.

It will include three main activities, namely assessing the safety of female students, teachers and staff as a basis for policy formulation; organising direct and online communication campaigns to raise awareness; and establishing support channels for female students and staff subject to violence.

Speaking at an event to launch the programme on February 25, Le Thi Thu Hang, from the Ministry of Education and Training, said the evidence from this project will help education managers, policy makers and relevant agencies to issue practical and effective regulations and policies to ensure a safe and non-violent educational environment for students.

UN Women officer Le Thi Lan Phuong said the agency will accompany universities in Vietnam in building safe and equal campuses.

For their part, representatives of participating universities all affirmed the need for psychological support services and awareness-raising activities to support students, staff and lecturers and motivate them to speak out against gender-based violence./.