“Run for zero violence against women and girls in Vietnam” gets set

The third “Run for zero violence against women and girls in Vietnam” race will be held in Tran Nhan Tong pedestrian street by Thien Quang Lake in Hanoi on December 8. The event aligns with the 2024 global campaign of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, themed “Towards 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: Unite to End Violence against Women”. It also coincides with Vietnam’s national action month on gender equality from November 15 to December 15, themed “Ensuring social security, empowering women and girls, and eliminating gender-based violence".

This year's race is expected to gather around 2,000 participants of all ages, genders, and abilities, each demonstrating their commitment to ensuring a future free from violence against women and girls in Vietnam.

Agenda of the event. Photo: United Nations Population Fund

Runners can choose between two courses, the “Love track” of 2.5km and the “Solidarity track” of 5km, highlighting unity and shared messages about respecting women and girls while breaking the silence to end violence.

The race emphasises inclusivity by offering free participation for vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, the LGBTIQ+ community, children, and youth. Additionally, to expand participation and spread the event's positive message, organisers are calling for voluntary contributions from participants to cover the cost of race kits, including shirts and medals.

More than just a regular running event, it aims to become a "Festival of Love and Happiness", providing participants with opportunities to raise awareness, share messages of respect for women and girls.

This is the third edition of the race following successful events in 2022 and 2023, organised by the Centre for Studies and Applied Sciences in Gender, Family, Women and Adolescents, with technical and financial support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Vietnam and the Australian government.

Besides valuable support from UNFPA Vietnam and the Australian government over the years, this year's race welcomes various stakeholders, including embassies, international organisations, private entities, and individuals. This diverse collaboration emphasises the shared commitment to ending violence against women and girls.

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