Bum Tở's transformation from Project 8: When gender equality enters real life.

Changes in perception

In the last days of November 2025, the meeting hall of the Bum To Commune People's Committee became more bustling than usual. From the early morning, women from the villages braved the steep mountain slopes to attend the propaganda, exchange, and theatrical performance conference organized by the Commune Women's Union. This was the opening activity for the series of implementations of Project 8 in particularly disadvantaged villages.

At the conference, delegates discussed gender equality, the right to education, and women's right to have a voice in the family and community. Through theatrical skits, sometimes depicting women boldly taking on leadership roles, and other times telling the story of girls yearning to go to school, the audience both laughed and pondered. This approachable and relatable communication style made the message gentle yet profound.

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The conferences always attract many female members.

Following enthusiastic outreach sessions, Project 8 continued its expansion with a system of 13 billboards placed in all particularly disadvantaged villages. With the clear message: "Women and men are equal in making decisions about all matters in the family and society," these billboards act as "silent mentors," accompanying the villagers every day – a form of communication well-suited to mountainous regions where information needs to be concise, visual, and enduring.

But change wasn't just talk or messages posted along the roadside. It was evident in the first-ever lively and frank policy dialogues. Around 300 residents – mostly women – boldly voiced their opinions and questioned the government about their concerns. What was once considered foreign has now become clear evidence of the shift in awareness brought about by Project 8.

Ms. Ly Mo Pu, President of the Women's Union of Bum To commune, shared: "Previously, promoting gender equality faced many obstacles because people were hesitant and reluctant to listen, but now things have changed significantly. Dramatic skits and relatable stories have touched the lives of each family, helping women understand that they have the right to education and to express their opinions. We believe that these changes will spread and deepen even further, because when women understand their rights and are given opportunities, they will become a powerful driving force for the development of the entire village."

Women in Bum Tở commune actively participate in cultural and artistic activities.

Practical support: Making gender equality a value in life.

With increased awareness, practical support activities for women and children continue to strengthen people's trust. Four support packages – regular prenatal checkups, safe childbirth, postpartum nutrition, and healthcare for children under 24 months – have helped hundreds of mothers alleviate their anxieties about accessing healthcare services. Many women giving birth for the first time now do so at healthcare facilities, no longer needing to use fires for warmth during childbirth in their mud-walled houses as before. As a result, obstetric complications have decreased significantly, and newborns receive better care in their first few months of life.

Ms. Vang Xu Po from Nam Cau village said: “Since receiving the four support packages for women and children, I feel much more at ease. Before, during my pregnancy, I only monitored myself at home until delivery. Now, with regular prenatal checkups, guidance on safe delivery, postpartum nutrition, and health care for my child up to 24 months, I'm very happy. This time, I gave birth at the health station, with staff assisting with the delivery, so I'm no longer as worried as before. My child was monitored, weighed, and fully vaccinated, and is much healthier than my previous children.”

Women in Bum Tở commune are developing the economy and improving their family lives.

Simultaneously, 21 community communication teams became the core force in bringing policies to every village and hamlet. To operate effectively, these teams received training in group management skills, selecting appropriate content, and even using AI to search for illustrative images and videos . The communication sessions became intimate, easy-to-understand conversations that resonated with the local culture.

Ms. Phung Va Hu, head of the community communication team in Phin Kho village, shared: “In the past, many families were hesitant to listen when talking about gender equality and domestic violence. Now, by showing images, clips, and real stories, people understand very quickly. With smartphones and AI support, the dissemination of information is much easier.”

In addition to disseminating information during group meetings, members also take advantage of every opportunity during village meetings, or even during daily gatherings, to explain the issue to female members. This persistent effort creates a quiet but sure change in habits and ways of thinking.

The support of the political system

For Project 8 to be implemented effectively, the involvement of the local political system plays a crucial role. The Fatherland Front Committee of Bum To commune takes the lead in developing the plan and monitoring progress; the Economic Department and the Culture and Social Affairs Department coordinate in appraisal and guidance; and the Women's Union is the unit directly implementing the project. As a result, all activities are targeted at the right areas and yield clear and effective results.

Women in vulnerable positions always receive attention from all levels and sectors of government.

Mr. Tong Dinh Trung – Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Bum To commune affirmed: “What we desire most is that women and children in Bum To receive adequate attention. Project 8 is not just a program but a long-term commitment of the locality in promoting gender equality. In recent years, with a total budget of nearly 200 million VND, it has been used for the right purpose, contributing to effectively solving urgent issues facing women and children.”

Walking through these particularly disadvantaged villages, one can easily see the changes happening every day: More women attend community meetings and speak up more confidently. Girls attend school regularly, and the dropout rate has decreased significantly. Many women participate in production and build small-scale economic models. The notion that "only boys need to study" and "women don't need to attend meetings" is gradually being pushed back.

Women learn from each other and apply technology to improve their lives.

The positive changes have demonstrated the lasting impact of Project 8 on the lives of the people of Bum To. Through an understanding of local culture, the close involvement of communication teams, the responsibility of the government, and especially the growing confidence of local women, the project has created a truly transformative journey.

Beyond just communication sessions or support packages, Project 8 has contributed to transforming awareness, shaping behavior, fostering a new way of life, and gradually changing the face of the community. This is the most sustainable achievement, a transformation stemming from within the people of Bum Tở themselves.

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