To give women and children a voice

On one occasion when we visited Trong Hoa Secondary School No. 1, we had the opportunity to attend a meeting of the “Leaders of Change” Club. The club has 30 students, including 5 members of the board of directors. Under the guidance of the school teachers, the students were provided with additional knowledge about children’s rights, prevention of child abuse, injuries, school violence, child marriage, incestuous marriage, etc. through games such as: Drawing, group discussion, drama, etc.

Cao Phuong Linh, Bru-Van Kieu ethnic group, 8th grade student, club member shared that since its establishment, the club has organized regular activities once a month. During the activities, we not only discuss and share about the problems we encounter in life but also act out skits. Through activities in the club, we have become more confident and bold in expressing our thoughts.

A meeting of the "Leaders of Change" Club in Trong Hoa commune.

The "Leaders of Change" Club at Trong Hoa Secondary and High School No. 1 is one of four clubs in Minh Hoa district established since the implementation of Project 8 "Implementing gender equality and solving some urgent issues for women and children" under the National Target Program on socio -economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the period 2021-2030. Currently, in the district, there is also a "Leaders of Change" Club in the community in Y leng village, Dan Hoa commune, Mo O O O, On, Yen Hop villages, Thuong Hoa commune and Luong Nang village, Hoa Son commune.

After launching the clubs, the Women's Union of Minh Hoa district organized training and guidance on knowledge, management skills, club activities, basic knowledge on early marriage, incestuous marriage, prevention of school violence... Thereby, helping children know how to speak up to protect themselves, be confident and courageous to change their way of thinking, learning, and doing in life; gradually eliminating backward habits and customs...

“With the expectation of changing the awareness of the young generation right from school, in the coming time, the Women's Union at all levels of Minh Hoa district will continue to coordinate to effectively promote the model of "Leaders of Change" Club in schools and communities and strengthen training organization, improve the capacity of operating the Club... ensuring the voice and role of girls in the socio-economic development of the community", said President of the Women's Union of Minh Hoa district Dinh Thi Ngoc Le.

In order for the Club to be effective, the Women's Unions at all levels in the district have actively coordinated with relevant levels and sectors to organize training, improve operational capacity and foster skills in organizing and maintaining Club activities. With rich and diverse activities, the Clubs have contributed to the effective implementation of programs and policies related to children, solving children's issues; supporting teachers and parents to effectivelyeducate students and prevent gender-based violence, child abuse, trafficking, kidnapping, child marriage, etc.

In 2024, the Y leng Community Leader Club, Dan Hoa Commune, participated in the "Talented Leader" contest organized by the Provincial Women's Union and won first prize - an outstanding result demonstrating the effectiveness of the "Leader of Change" Club model. Villages where club members live have clearly changed, the number of students dropping out of school has ended, there are no more early marriages and incestuous marriages, domestic violence has decreased significantly, girls are protected and they are more confident and bold in life. Villagers focus on economic activities, feeding their children and going to school regularly, the lives of the villagers are changing day by day.

According to the President of the Minh Hoa District Women's Union, Dinh Thi Ngoc Le, the "Leaders of Change" Club is both a useful playground and a place to share information, helping students in disadvantaged areas and ethnic minority areas of the district gain more knowledge about age psychology, gender, and communication skills in family and school; at the same time, become pioneering "nuclei" to change perceptions, eliminate gender stereotypes, and spread positive information and messages. More importantly, the "Leaders of Change" Club is one of the activities for women and children to speak up and affirm their role in the community.

Xuan Phu

Source: https://baoquangbinh.vn/xa-hoi/202504/de-phu-nu-va-tre-em-duoc-len-tieng-2225675/