“Red Carding” Violence Against Women and Girls

The event promoted the message of gender equality – in school, sports and society – which is vital to addressing the underlying cause of violence against women and girls. The event also highlighted that men need to participate in addressing violence against women and cannot be bystanders; and that the next generation has the chance to reset gender roles, and promote equality and safety in their relationships and public lives. These themes reflect the current campaigns in Australia to end violence against women and girls.

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Craig Chittick speaking at the opening ceremony

Vietnam is gaining in strength and reputation as a successful football nation. The three, well-known young players from the HAGL Football Club - Nguyen Tuan Anh, Tran Minh Vuong and Chau Ngoc Quang - have represented Vietnam internationally. Joining this event, they will engage in a football clinic where they led football drills with all the students, as well as photo sessions with Red Cards to symbolise that violence against women and girls should not be tolerated.

Young player Tran Minh Vuong

“Tuan Anh, Minh Vuong and Quang have stirred Vietnam’s national pride and demonstrated what Vietnam can achieve on the world stage,” observed the Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, His Excellency Mr. Craig Chittick. “We hold the same hope of safety and success for all of Vietnam’s girls and boys, and a future where there is less need to ‘Red Card’ violence against women and girls”.

"We appreciate the Australian Embassy involving our students in this event to promote equality and safety. The students obviously enjoyed having football clinics with their idols too. The event not only builds on our conversation with students about safe, friendly & non-violent schools, but it also helps to foster a generation where men and women are more equal in society and their homes,” says Ms Nguyen Thanh Ha, Principal of Thang Long Junior High School in Hanoi.

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, young players, and students in a joint photo

HAGL midfielder, Tran Minh Vuong thanked the Australian Embassy for this initiative, and the chance for the players to inspire the school students – both girls and boys – to be able to fulfil their dreams, without fear.

The event was organized in association with UNFPA Vietnam.    

Chung Anh