Supporting gender equality in ethnic minority areas

In the period of 2018-2025, the provincial Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions has actively coordinated with departments, branches and localities to focus on propaganda to raise awareness for ethnic minority people. In 7 years, 34 training conferences were organized for 2,493 delegates; 34 extracurricular dramatization sessions at ethnic boarding schools, attracting more than 13,720 students and teachers to participate; 156 legal consultations for more than 7,800 people; training to improve the capacity of organizing and implementing policies for 70 delegates who are ethnic minority cadres, principals of boarding high schools at all levels, commune and village cadres. 25,400 leaflets and brochures were printed and distributed, along with 7 billboards and 17 banners to promote gender equality and domestic violence prevention.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung, Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions, said: The project has achieved all 5 criteria, with 100% of ethnic minority officials being disseminated the law on gender equality; 80% of ethnic minority households with very few people having access to information on gender; 100% of boarding schools being disseminated on life skills and gender equality; at least 50% of ethnic minority officials in areas with very few people living are trained in gender equality activities, gender mainstreaming skills in drafting documents and organizing policy implementation; 30-50% of communes with many ethnic minorities living are building models on gender equality and preventing and combating gender-based violence.

One of the important objectives of the completed project is to ensure that 100% of boarding and semi-boarding schools are educated about life skills and gender equality. Adolescent students not only acquire knowledge but also become active advocates in the community. Schools in the province have implemented various forms of education, from dramatization competitions on reducing child marriage and consanguineous marriage, to integrating knowledge about the Law on Marriage and Family, gender and reproductive health into extracurricular lessons.

Lo Thi Tram Anh, a student at Tan Lap Primary and Secondary School, Moc Chau, shared: Through extracurricular activities, propaganda helps us raise awareness of gender equality, and become more confident in school and social activities. I myself will propagate to my family to gradually eliminate backward customs and eliminate the ideology of "respecting men and despising women".

The Provincial Women's Union has carried out many active activities in gender equality. From 2021 to present, the Union has published 16,500 documents and 2,440 leaflets, organized 17 communication sessions on the four qualities of "Confidence, self-respect, honesty, and responsibility" for more than 15,000 people; built and replicated the models of "Reforming and educating people who have made mistakes to reintegrate into the community" and "Confident women"; 114 models of domestic violence prevention; 529 groups to prevent violence, contributing to reducing violence and abuse against women and children, while improving the position of women in the community.

In the communes of Muong La, Muong Bu, Muong Chum, Chieng Hoa, Chieng Lao and Ngoc Chien, where over 90% of the population are ethnic minorities, many models have been built to support gender equality, with 50 community communication teams established, each with 7 to 10 members, along with 1 "Leader of Change" club and 3 "Trusted Address in the Community" models.

Ms. Vang Thi Mo, a member of the Pa Hau village community communication team, Chieng Lao commune, said: The community communication team maintains monthly activities, organizes specialized meetings, integrates propaganda content into the meetings of the women's association, focusing on the Law on Marriage and Family; Law on Gender Equality; Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence and especially propaganda about the situation of trafficking of women and children... helping women in the village gain more knowledge, confidence and know how to protect themselves.

Gender equality support activities in Son La have contributed to raising awareness and eliminating backward customs in the community. In the coming time, the province will continue to implement the National Strategy on Gender Equality, increase women's participation in leadership positions and pay attention to policies to support employment and production for ethnic minorities, especially ethnic minority groups with very small populations, towards ensuring gender equality in ethnic minority areas.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/xa-hoi/ho-tro-binh-dang-gioi-vung-dong-bao-dan-toc-thieu-so-iLbYmgXNg.html