Focus on solving urgent problems for women and children in ethnic and mountainous areas

Implementing the National Target Program (NTP) on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas (EMMA) for the period 2021 - 2030, Project 8 "Implementing gender equality and solving urgent issues for Women and Children" has been and is being implemented in particularly difficult communes and villages, initially contributing to changing "thinking and working methods", changing prejudices, caring for material and spiritual life, protecting and caring for women and children.

Implementing the National Target Program (NTP) on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas (EMMA) for the period 2021 - 2030, Project 8 "Implementing gender equality and solving urgent issues for women and children" has been and is being implemented in particularly difficult communes and villages, initially contributing to changing "thinking and doing", changing prejudices, caring for material and spiritual life, protecting and caring for women and children.

Many rich activities

According to the assessment of the Provincial People's Committee, the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the period 2021 - 2030; Phase I from 2021 to 2025 is considered a special policy in implementing the goal of sustainable development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas. During the implementation process, the program received close attention and direction from the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee; close coordination of departments, branches and localities in advising on implementation. Thanks to that, the projects were implemented synchronously and promptly, especially Project 8, contributing to changing prejudices, caring for the material and spiritual life, protecting and caring for women and children in particularly difficult communes and villages. By the first half of 2023, relevant provincial departments and branches, representatives of the People's Committees and Women's Unions at district and commune levels in localities implementing Project 8 had organized many rich and diverse activities.

Project 8 training course addresses urgent issues for women and children in ethnic and mountainous areas. Photo: T. Linh

Notably, the province has established and operated "Trusted Address in the Community"; provided training on implementation and construction of the "Leader of Change" club. In addition, relevant departments and branches have coordinated to organize 3 Training Conferences on establishment and operation of "Community Communication Teams" for village and hamlet officials, prestigious people in Tanh Linh and Ham Thuan Bac districts. The training content revolves around the establishment, operation and maintenance of "Community Communication Teams"; some basic contents on gender and gender equality; communication planning skills... Not stopping there, relevant departments and branches have surveyed, collected information, and evaluated the input at 5 secondary schools and 12/12 communes implementing the Project to prepare for the establishment of models of "Community Communication Teams", "Leader of Change" clubs, "Trusted Address in the Community"...

Many students attended the Project 8 training course. Photo: T.Linh

Strengthening the movement to change "thinking and doing"

According to the plan to implement the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas in 2023 in the province, which has just been issued by the Provincial People's Committee; one of the main goals is to achieve gender equality and solve urgent issues for women and children, contributing to improving the material and spiritual life of the people. To achieve the above goal, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Hong Hai requested relevant departments, branches, sectors and localities to strengthen propaganda and mobilize changes in "thinking and working methods". Thereby, contributing to eliminating gender prejudices and stereotypes in families and communities, harmful cultural practices and some urgent social issues for women and children. In particular, it is noted to organize training to establish and operate 17 "Community Communication Teams" (village level); Launching the first Contest for Creating Communication Products to Raise Awareness of Gender Equality for Children in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas, called “Listen to Your Children Speak,” across the province. In addition, building and replicating models of changing “thinking and doing” to enhance women’s economic empowerment; promoting gender equality and solving urgent problems of women and children. Paying attention to training and guiding the establishment and operation of Trustworthy Addresses for relevant subjects; establishing 3 new “Trustworthy Addresses in the community.”

At the same time, ensure the voice and real participation of women and children in socio-economic development activities of the community, monitoring and criticism; support women to participate in leadership in the political system. Activities focus on guiding the monitoring and evaluation of gender equality in the implementation of the National Target Program; training conferences on policy dialogue according to the Central's Handbook; guidance on the establishment and operation of "Leaders of Change" clubs for key executives and children at 4 schools; establish 5 "Leaders of Change" clubs at 5 secondary schools.

In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to equipping knowledge on gender equality and skills in implementing gender mainstreaming for officials in the political system, village elders, village chiefs, religious dignitaries and prestigious people in the community. In particular, focusing on organizing training to develop capacity on gender mainstreaming for district and commune-level officials; Program on developing capacity on gender mainstreaming for the community (village/hamlet officials). Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Hong Hai assigned the responsibility to the Provincial Ethnic Committee (the standing agency of the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas of the province) to monitor, urge, inspect, supervise and evaluate the implementation process at the grassroots and local levels and promptly guide the units in implementation. Thereby, synthesizing and reporting on implementation results in the whole province periodically or suddenly, promptly reporting to the Provincial People's Committee on arising issues for consideration and direction of implementation...

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