Gender equality - for a better future

In the context of digital transformation changing all aspects of life, gender equality (GEM) is not just a slogan but has become a prerequisite for sustainable development and ensuring human rights. The month of action for GEM and prevention and response to gender-based violence in 2025 with the theme "GEM and safety for women and girls in the digital age" was deployed by Thanh Hoa not only to mark an annual media event, but also to review the results achieved with specific numbers; at the same time, strengthen the determination to act more strongly for a safe and equal future for women and children.

Báo Thanh Hóa•02/12/2025

A skit at the 2025 Gender Equality Knowledge Contest in Sam Son Ward.

Implementing the National Strategy on Gender Equality, the 2006 Law on Gender Equality and the Central Government's plans, in recent years, Thanh Hoa province has systematically implemented gender equality work, from perfecting mechanisms and policies to integrating gender into socio -economic development programs. The month of action for gender equality and prevention and response to gender-based violence has been maintained by the province for 10 consecutive years, becoming an annual communication peak from November 15 to December 15, with inter-sectoral coordination between the Department of Home Affairs - the standing agency of the Provincial Committee for the Advancement of Women and departments, branches, sectors, unions and local authorities. The activities not only take place within the framework of a launching ceremony, but are also specified into plans for each field and each locality, associated with clear goals and targets on gender equality.

Thanks to that synchronous approach, the picture of gender equality in the province has had many clear changes, proven by specific figures, not just by emotional assessments. In terms of economy, the whole province currently has 4,403 enterprises and cooperatives, of which 1,237 enterprises and cooperatives are directed or owned by women, thereby creating jobs and income for more than 250,000 female workers. This shows that women are not only a large labor force, but also increasingly asserting their role as business owners, leaders, and organizers of production and business.

In the socio -political field, the proportion of women participating in leadership and management has clearly improved compared to before. The whole province has 8/69 female members of the Provincial Party Executive Committee (12%), an increase of 1.2% compared to the previous term; 2/15 female members of the Provincial Party Standing Committee (13%), an increase of 7.1%; and 161 female key leaders at the commune level, accounting for 16%. Women account for more than 50% of the province's workforce and contribute increasingly to socio-economic development.

In the field of education and social security, the gender gap continues to narrow. The rate of ethnic minority boys and girls completing primary education reached 99.98% (plan 98.9%); the rate of completing lower secondary education reached 97.37% (plan 97%). Communication, training and dissemination of knowledge on gender equality has been strongly expanded: 84% of the population has access to basic knowledge on gender equality, far exceeding the 2025 plan target of 60%. In the field of preventing and combating gender-based violence, 86.25% of perpetrators of domestic violence and gender-based violence (at the level of not yet prosecuted) have been counseled, exceeding the target of 80%. This is a sign of efforts to shift from post-violation handling to prevention and early intervention, directly impacting the awareness and behavior of perpetrators.

Entering the stage of extensive digital transformation, forms of gender-based violence not only occur in the family or community but also spread to the online environment, with a more sophisticated level. According to statistics, from the beginning of the year to the end of October 2025, the whole province recorded 28 cases of fraud and appropriation of property in cyberspace with 63 subjects; most of the victims were women and girls - a vulnerable group due to limited digital skills and fear of reporting.

Many new forms of gender-based violence have emerged, such as harassment via text messages, sensitive images, blackmail via video, defamation on social networks... These acts are difficult to identify and cause deep mental trauma. In disadvantaged areas, child marriage and gender stereotypes have not been completely eliminated, continuing to affect girls' opportunities to learn and develop.

Faced with that reality, the Month of Action for Gender Equality and Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence in 2025 identifies many key groups of solutions, aiming at practicality and sustainability. First of all, gender equality must be considered a mandatory indicator in approving socio-economic development plans and in implementing digital transformation of the province, sectors and localities; gender mainstreaming becomes a criterion for assessing the capacity and responsibility of leaders. Next, departments, branches and sectors have the task of developing solutions to protect the safety of women and children in the digital environment, while strengthening inspection, examination and supervision of the implementation of the set goals. People's Committees of communes and wards must issue specific action plans, attaching targets to each unit and each individual in charge to ensure progress, avoiding the situation of formal implementation.

Along with the efforts of the government, community-level solutions need to be expanded to create a safety shield from the grassroots. Training models on digital skills, safe behavior skills, community communication teams, and peer groups must be maintained and expanded. Educational institutions are recommended to include gender equality and digital safety content in life skills programs, build a "5-no" school environment, and help students form gender-respecting awareness and behavior.

In particular, women and girls need to be provided with knowledge and skills to protect themselves and proactively report violence and abuse. Associations and unions should continue to promote the model of “self-protection - self-help”, creating a support network so that no victim is abandoned or suffers prolonged harm.

It can be affirmed that gender equality is an important foundation for sustainable development, especially in the digital age when opportunities and challenges are intertwined. In the coming time, Thanh Hoa province will continue to implement synchronous solutions to ensure that all women and girls live, study and work in a safe and equal environment. At the same time, continue to replicate community support models, promote the role of the Committee for the Advancement of Women and encourage the active participation of people, especially men, to create sustainable changes, contributing to building a more civilized and progressive society.

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