Changing stereotypes in ethnic minority areas

Chicken farm of Ms. Luong Thi Nong's family (standing in the middle) in Dien Xa commune, Tien Yen district.

The family of Ms. Luong Thi Nong (Pac Phai village, Dien Xa commune, Tien Yen district) is maintaining one of the largest chicken farms in the commune. Having won first prize at the Tien Yen district Chicken King festival in 2023, and also being a partner supplying breeding chickens and broilers to many customers in the whole province, it can be said that Ms. Nong is one of the typical female members of the emulation movement for good production and business, strongly promoting the movement of women doing good business in the highlands. It is worth mentioning that the story of an ethnic minority woman standing up to be the owner of the farm, taking on the management of all production and business work... is very difficult according to the old concept. But now, with the progressive social context and the elimination of gender prejudices, Ms. Luong Thi Nong has confidently conquered her dream, taking advantage of the support of the commune Women's Union and the facilitation of local Party committees and authorities.

Women must be humble, dependent, and must conform to the notion that “men build houses, women build homes”, “women’s natural duty is to be mothers and wives”… instead of freely expressing their personal opinions and pursuing legitimate dreams. Men, on the other hand, must carry the expectation of shouldering all the great responsibilities, taking on the decisive voice in the family and in society, regardless of their level of education and ability… In ethnic minority areas, these notions persist, becoming a binding pattern, limiting the opportunities for each person to express their abilities, pursue legitimate dreams, and contribute to the community.

The Women's Union of Quang Son commune (Hai Ha district) integrates propaganda about Project 8 for members at branch and grassroots association meetings.

Implementing Project 8 on gender equality and solving urgent issues for women and children, the Women's Union and all levels, sectors and localities have strengthened communication campaigns to eliminate gender prejudice and gender stereotypes in families and communities in many communes in mountainous and highland districts of the province. Many communication teams have been established at the grassroots level, operating through the following forms: Exchanges, discussions, and thematic talks on gender equality knowledge, prevention and control of domestic violence... with communication skills and methods suitable to the actual conditions in each locality. Village heads, ward secretaries, branch heads of grassroots organizations, prestigious people in the community, core members... are all given the opportunity to participate in training and equip themselves with knowledge on gender equality. Especially understanding the prominent gender issues in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, solutions to attract men's participation in changing prejudices, preventing domestic violence...

Not only limited to meetings, legal propaganda, legal aid..., but propaganda work to eliminate gender prejudice is also implemented in many diverse forms. As in schools, teachers themselves can also become guides, orienting children to have correct perceptions of gender and gender equality. Lessons on gender equality and eliminating prejudice also need to come from each family, when sharing between parents, grandparents, children... has formed a tradition, family education, is the first place to sow the seeds of development in intelligence, personality, and moral qualities for each citizen of a civilized society.

Van Ba

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/thay-doi-dinh-kien-trong-vung-dan-toc-thieu-so-3350077.html