(VOVworld) - Nguyen Van Anh, Founder and Director of the Center for Research and Application of Sciences in Gender-Family-Women and Adolescents (CSAGA), has been selected by Forbes Magazine as one of Vietnam’s 50 most influential women. Over the past 20 years, Van Anh has tirelessly worked to promote the rights of women and children vulnerable to violence and discrimination.

Nguyen Van Anh is named one of Vietnam’s 50 most influential women (Photo: Tuoitre newspaper)
Helping women to live their own lives to their dreams and aspirations is what Nguyen Van Anh targets in her work. Having worked as a reporter in charge of social issues at the Voice of Vietnam, Van Anh changed her job title to social worker to encourage women and children to fight domestic violence. 10 years ago, Van Anh set up the first hotline to deal with domestic violence in Vietnam, which was then turned into the Center for Research and Application of Sciences in Gender-Family-Women and Adolescents.
“While operating the hotline, I received a lot of phone calls from victims of domestic violence and LGBT discrimination and decided to establish the Center. At first, I faced numerous difficulties, but the more I worked, the more passionate I got about it”, Van Anh recalled.

Van Anh has generated many communication activities relating to women vulnerable to discrimination and violence. Messages about gender equality and domestic violence are integrated into short stories and films. She often meets and shares with those who need help and is highly valued by her partners for her great enthusiasm and creativity.
“She empathizes with vulnerable people and takes practical steps to help them. She does it with all her heart”, said Ms. Phan Thu Hien from the United Nations Population Fund in Vietnam.

“I have learnt a lot from Van Anh. She is enthusiastic, creative, and inspiring to other people”, said Nguyen Thu Thuy, Deputy Director of CSAGA, who worked with Van Anh for 15 years.

Nguyen Van Anh (R) at a workshop in Hanoi on March 14, 2017

Van Anh have tried to relieve the pain that others suffer: “I feel happy when I see smiling faces. That’s the great reward for me. I will do more to bring happiness to people”.

In 2008, Van Anh was honored by the US’s Women’s eNews as one of 21 outstanding leaders of the early 21st century.