An Giang Launches “Anh Duong House” to Support Victims of Violence

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Within the framework of the project “Eliminating Violence Against Women and Children in Vietnam,” funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for the 2021–2026 period, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), with the support of the Ministry of Home Affairs, collaborated with the An Giang Department of Health to establish Anh Duong House.

Located in the Mekong Delta, An Giang is home to diverse ethnic communities, including Khmer, Cham, and Chinese. The province faces challenges in ensuring service accessibility for people in remote and rural areas.

UNFPA Representative in Vietnam Matt Jackson spoke at the inauguration ceremony. (Photo: UNFPA)

The Anh Duong House model provides a wide range of essential services in one location, including medical care, psychological counseling, social support, legal and judicial services, police protection, and emergency shelter. This ensures that survivors of violence receive timely assistance through coordinated, high-quality services without having to approach multiple agencies.

Speaking at the inauguration, Matt Jackson, UNFPA Representative in Vietnam, said: “In Vietnam, nearly two out of three women have experienced some form of violence in their lifetime, yet most do not seek help. This must change. The Anh Duong House in An Giang is a safe and trusted place for survivors, where they can find safety and the support they need to rebuild their lives. We commend the leadership of the An Giang People’s Committee and thank the Government of Australia for making this possible.”

Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of the An Giang People’s Committee, emphasized: “An Giang is committed to ensuring that every woman and girl in the province can live free from fear and violence. The Anh Duong House model is a practical and effective solution that connects health, justice, and social services at one site. We will work to maintain and strengthen this model so that it becomes a sustainable part of our social protection system.”

UNFPA Representative in Vietnam Matt Jackson handed over the Anh Duong House to An Giang Province. (Photo: UNFPA)

Operating as the only safe one-stop center, Anh Duong House offers full support for survivors of violence. Services include immediate, stigma-free medical care; confidential counseling and crisis intervention by trained staff; access to social welfare benefits, emergency aid, vocational training, and job support through social workers; and legal assistance to help survivors understand their rights, prepare documents, and pursue complaints or court cases.

A dedicated police liaison ensures rapid protection measures and trauma-sensitive reporting procedures. For individuals in immediate danger, Anh Duong House provides short-term emergency shelter with strict confidentiality. Each survivor is assigned a case manager to coordinate services across health, police, legal, and social protection sectors, preventing the need to repeatedly recount their story or navigate multiple institutions.

Delegates posed for a group photo at the inauguration. (Photo: UNFPA)

Luong Thi Hai Anh, Deputy Director General of the Department of Youth Affairs and Gender Equality at the Ministry of Home Affairs, said: “As part of the national program on preventing and responding to gender-based violence, the Ministry of Home Affairs is working closely with provinces to replicate the OSSC model nationwide. The new center in An Giang demonstrates how strong collaboration between government, UN partners, and donors can make a real difference in people’s lives.”

The Anh Duong House in An Giang is part of a growing national network alongside centers already operating in Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City, and Phu Tho. The model is expected to expand further in the coming years. UNFPA has called for stronger inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms at both national and provincial levels to ensure that survivors of violence across Vietnam have access to consistent, high-quality support services.

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