VietNamNet Bridge - Nearly 70 children from Bac Giang, Thanh Hoa, Quang Ninh, Dong Thap and Ca Mau provinces attended a forum in Hanoi on August 6, calling on the entire society to take responsibility for protecting children from human trafficking activities.

It was reported that over the past years, the Party and State have paid special attention to young generations, particularly childcare and protection work. However, child trafficking and violations of their rights have increased in a more serious and complicated manner than before.

In his speech, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong said besides information dissemination, Vietnam should devise an overall strategy on combating the trafficking of children. He said the strategy should be implemented along with other measures, including protecting children in the community, offering them opportunities to get access to vocational and employment services and improving their living skills so that they can protect themselves from trafficking activities, violence, exploitation and abuse.

He called on State agencies, sectors and localities to provide better spiritual and physical care and assistance to children infected with HIV/AIDS, orphans and street children as well as those who are victims of exploitation, prostitution and human trafficking to help them reintegrate into community.

He called for specific and practical programmes of action to raise public awareness of childcare and protection, and the fight against child trafficking, particularly in far-flung areas.

The Deputy PM also urged relevant agencies to detect and bring to court those involved in child trafficking.

Rose Marie Greve, director of the International Labour Organisation Office in Vietnam, praised Vietnam for its encouraging results in combating the trafficking of children in recent times. She suggested that the country coordinate closely with border guards and police forces, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and embassies of countries sharing common borders with Vietnam.

At the forum, young delegates raised questions for officials, focusing on the fight against child exploitation and prostitution, and children’s rights to study, play and enjoy spiritual and physical care from the entire society.

(Source: VOV)