(VOVworld) – A Conference on Policy Dialogue and Regional Consultation for Child Helplines in the Asia-Pacific opened in Hanoi on Tuesday, drawing delegates from 24 countries.

Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Doan Mau Diep said that Vietnam is revising the 2004 Law on Child Protection, Care and Education with a rights-based approach to address child-related issues now and in the future. The Vietnamese government has approved and implemented 3 national programs on child protection. Vietnam’s child helpline was established in 2004 and after 9 years it has received 1.5 million calls, many of which received consultations or emergency support and protection services.

Nenita La Rose, Executive Director of Child Helpline International (CHI), said that governments should continue to increase resources and improve the capacity of all child help services.