Conference to evaluate the implementation results of the Project on Controlling Gender Imbalance at Birth and Vietnam's Population Strategy to 2030

Attending the conference were Dr. Hoang Thi My Hanh - Head of the Department of Medical Sociology and Population - Institute of Health Strategy and Policy ( Ministry of Health ); representatives of the Department of Population (Lai Chau Department of Health), leaders of Tam Duong Medical Center, Binh Lu commune, Ban Bo and related departments and offices of the two communes.

Conference scene.

According to the report on the implementation of 10 years of the Project on controlling gender imbalance at birth in the period of 2016 - 2025 and the Vietnam Population Strategy to 2030, Ban Bo commune has 1,941 households with 9,331 people. From 2021 to July 2025, the commune will promote communication work on the harmful effects of early marriage, consanguineous marriage, family planning (FP), reproductive health care (CSSKSS), the Population Ordinance, the Law on Marriage and Family, the Law on Gender Equality... A total of 120 group discussions with 3,480 listeners; 9 thematic talks/684 listeners; 526 households visited. By 2025, the natural population growth rate will be 10‰, the birth rate will decrease by -1.02‰; Over 80% of pregnant mothers are informed and advised on the benefits of prenatal screening. Every year, over 70% of young men and women are informed and advised on the benefits of premarital health check-ups.

Binh Lu commune has 4,253 households and 18,062 people. From 2020 to 2024, the commune organized communication on the harmful effects of early marriage, incestuous marriage, family planning, reproductive health care, Population Ordinance, Law on Marriage and Family, Law on Gender Equality... with 102 sessions/2,048 listeners; consulted and visited 536 households with 1,880 people. The estimated sex ratio at birth by 2025 will decrease to 112 males/100 females. The estimated crude birth rate by 2025 will decrease to 9.9‰ (down 3.7‰ compared to 2020). The total number of couples of childbearing age using modern contraceptive methods will reach 72%....

At the conference, the members of the delegation highly appreciated the achievements of the Party Committee and the government; in addition, they discussed the current problems, difficulties and obstacles in the area such as: The gender imbalance ratio at birth tends to be high; the rate of mothers giving birth to the third child or more is high; models and projects to improve population quality are still limited (prenatal screening, newborn screening, premarital health check-ups, health care for the elderly, etc.).

The conference focused on discussing issues: solutions, causes of problems, limitations and policies to effectively implement the Vietnam Population Strategy to 2030 in the area; especially discussing solutions and causes of the current risk of gender imbalance at birth.

Speaking at the Conference, Dr. Hoang Thi My Hanh - Head of the Department of Medical Sociology and Population - Institute of Health Strategy and Policy (Ministry of Health) highly appreciated the achievements of the two communes in population work. At the same time, she emphasized that in the coming time, the Party Committee, the government and departments, branches and organizations will continue to pay attention to, direct and promote the propaganda and implementation of policies in the area in the Vietnam population strategy and especially the content on controlling gender imbalance at birth. Continue to lead and direct the effective implementation of the goals, tasks and solutions of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee on implementing Resolution 21-NQ/TW, dated October 25, 2017 of the 12th Party Central Committee on population work in the new situation.

The working group interviewed a group of unmarried men and women aged 18-30 in Binh Lu commune.

On this occasion, the delegation conducted group discussions and direct interviews with the following groups: the elderly, mothers with children under 5 years old; unmarried men and women aged 18-30 and population collaborators in the two communes of Binh Lu and Ban Bo.