Vietnam

Vietnam has made significant strides toward gender equality and general quality-of-life improvement over the past few decades. Yet the country still has a long way to go. Gender-based discrimination and domestic violence are continuing problems and women have few options for support if they flee.

Cross-border trafficking is also a major issue. It is believed that as many as 400,000 Vietnamese women and children have been trafficked internationally since 1990.  This accounts for about 10 percent of all trafficked women and children worldwide.  Still, there are few skilled social workers able to manage the unique cases of trafficking survivors, and equally few programs in place to help marginalized women achieve economic independence. 

That’s why Hagar’s 2009 launch is so critical. In partnership with the Center for Women and Development (under the umbrella of the Women’s Division of the government) Hagar Vietnam is serving women from backgrounds of sex trafficking and domestic violence at two Hanoi shelters.  Hagar’s focus is to build the capacity of staff to deliver client-focused recovery and reintegration services.

Through partnerships with technical schools, businesses, and Hagar’s enterprise partner, Joma Bakery Café, women will become resilient, financially independent, and filled with hope.

Hagar’s ultimate goal, always, is reintegration with resilience and dignity. While our work in Vietnam is still new, it will grow in depth and breadth as resources grow — enabling more and more women to find the freedom and hope found by the Hagar of the Bible.


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