"Leaders of Change" Club helps ethnic minority children confidently take steps

In Quang Ngai province, the "Leaders of Change" club has been deployed in many areas with a large ethnic minority population. This is one of the models for children under Project 8 "Achieving gender equality and solving some urgent issues for women and children".

Recently, Dinh Thi A My, a Hre ethnic, a 9th grade student, has become an active member of the "Leader of Change" Club at Son Giang Primary and Secondary School, Son Ha District, Quang Ngai Province.

A My said that in previous years, she was very shy, afraid to communicate and share with people, especially about issues related to the body and the psychological changes of adolescence. Her parents were busy working in the fields and did not know much to be able to care for and guide her during puberty.

Since joining the "Leader of Change" Club, A My and her friends have been taught and guided by their teachers to learn about psychology, reproductive health, etc. At the same time, the club also shares and discusses more openly the difficult issues of adolescence. "I feel more knowledgeable and confident; I no longer feel afraid of my own changes," A My expressed.

CLB — Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Dung - Principal of Son Giang Primary and Secondary School, participated and guided the discussion for members of the "Leaders of Change" Club.

Dinh Thi Vien, a Hre, class 7C, said: "Joining the club, we divide into small groups to discuss common problems that students often encounter such as: School violence, measures for female students to keep themselves safe, maintain personal hygiene; differences between boys and girls; recognizing the consequences of early marriage, incestuous marriage... We will stand up to express our thoughts on the issues we care about. Through that, teachers can grasp and correct, explain to us more thoroughly the problems students encounter."

CLB — Officials of the Women's Union of Quang Ngai province participated and shared with club members about gender issues, gender equality, gender stereotypes... so that the children could gain more understanding, skills and improve their related knowledge.

Currently, the "Leaders of Change" Club of Son Giang Primary and Secondary School has nearly 20 members who are students from 10 to 15 years old. The club meets regularly once a month with many diverse activities to attract children to participate, especially ethnic minority girls, to have fun and improve their knowledge and life skills.

CLB — Members enthusiastically participated in activities during the club meeting.

CLB — The club's members include many ethnic minority girls from the Hre and Kinh groups.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Dung, Principal of Son Giang Primary and Secondary School, said: Through the club's activities, teachers integrate activities to guide and share with students skills such as how to work in groups, develop their strengths, knowledge about gender, psychology in puberty, gender stereotypes and gender prejudices.... Thereby helping students become more confident, have more knowledge and skills in life.

CLB — Members exchange and discuss common problems children encounter such as school violence, adolescent psychological problems; early marriage and incestuous marriage...

CLB — Each group discussed enthusiastically about the topics they were interested in...

CLB — Hre ethnic minority students confidently stand up to discuss and share their opinions and thoughts.

Through the activities of the "Leaders of Change" Club, we contribute to solving gender equality issues and urgent issues for women and children; ensuring the voice and role of girls in socio-economic development in the community.