Gender-based violence is defined as a form of violence toward a person or group of people based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression. It can be physical abuse (i.e slapping, beating), sexual abuse (i.e rape, coercive sex), psychological abuse (i.e demeaning, intimidating) or economic abuse (i.e forbidding someone from working, taking people’s earnings).
Although gender-based violence can happen to both men and women, the majority of victims/survivors are women. Therefore, some documents use “violence against women” as an alternative for gender-based violence. However, we also need to remember that people from gender minority communities such as gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders can be victims/survivors too.
In response to gender-based violence situation in Vietnam, the Building Responsibility and Accountability for Gender-based Violence Elimination (BRAVE) project and the Enhancing Women’s Voice to Stop Sexual Harassment (STOP) project cooperated with illustration artist X.Lan, with the financial support from the Australian Government, to produce an inspiring story under the online social campaign #ListenWholeheartedly. The campaign aims to raise public awareness about gender-based violence, hence, promote message on “how to be a proper confidant”.
