“From 2023 to the present, there have been no cases of child marriage or consanguineous marriage in the entire district,” the excitement was evident in the words and expression of Bui Van Hien, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Que Phong District (Nghe An), when sharing this with us. We understand that this result not only reflects a significant change in the awareness and actions of the people, but also shows the tireless involvement of the entire political system in its determination to combat child marriage and consanguineous marriage, which have persisted for generations in this region. From a poor land, the border district of Sa Thay (Kon Tum) is now rising strongly. Temporary houses are being replaced by sturdy buildings; spacious schools are enabling students to continue their education; and poor ethnic minority people are receiving livelihood support to rise out of poverty. The appearance of villages and hamlets in ethnic minority areas is improving day by day… This is the result of the determination of the entire political system of Sa Thầy district in implementing the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the period 2021 – 2030, Phase I: From 2021 – 2025 (referred to as National Target Program 1719). On the afternoon of December 12th, in Hanoi, President Luong Cuong visited and worked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2024, the socio-economic situation of Cao Bang province continued to improve positively, achieving fairly comprehensive results despite being heavily affected by natural disasters. One of the province's growth drivers is the funding from the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas giai đoạn 2021 – 2030 (National Target Program 1719). The summary of the Ethnic Minorities and Development Newspaper, afternoon bulletin of December 12th, includes the following noteworthy information: The Northwest region: Simple Colors; Returning the green forests to the mountains, bringing rice paddies to the people; "Keeping the flame" of carpentry alive in the heart of the city. Along with other current news from the ethnic minority and mountainous regions. In the chilly weather, under the towering roof of the Kon Klor communal house, young men played majestic gong melodies, barefoot girls performed graceful dances, men wove baskets and carved statues, and women wove cloth... The cultural space of the ethnic minorities in Kon Tum was fully and vividly recreated, captivating many tourists from near and far who attended the 2nd Kon Tum Province Ethnic Minority Gong and Dance Festival in 2024. On the morning of December 12th, the Party Committee and People's Committee of Khau Vai commune (Meo Vac district, Ha Giang province) coordinated with the "San Dinh Community Charity" group to hold the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a classroom building for the Ha Ca village kindergarten and primary school in Khau Vai commune. Implementing the nationwide emulation movement to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses launched by the Prime Minister, on the morning... On December 12th, officers and soldiers of the Xin Cai Border Guard Post (Ha Giang Provincial Border Guard) actively participated in supporting poor households in the area to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses. This is a summary of news from the Ethnic Minorities and Development Newspaper. The morning news on December 12th included the following noteworthy information: Preserving the beauty of traditional ethnic costumes in Lang Son; Unleashing medicinal resources in Dak Nong; The story of land donation in Bang Coc; and other current events in the ethnic minority and mountainous regions. As the Party Branch Secretary, Village Head, and influential figure of Phai Lau village, Dong Van commune, Binh Lieu district, Quang Ninh province, Mr. Tang Dau Tinh has become a reliable "pillar of support" for the Dao people in this border region over the years. He not only excels at promoting the idea of people staying in their villages, protecting their land, forests, and national borders, but also excels in economic activities. To promote gender equality and address pressing issues for children in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, Chư Pưh district, Gia Lai province, has established three "Leaders of Change" clubs at junior high schools in particularly disadvantaged villages. The club members will be the pioneering "nucleus" in changing perceptions and eliminating gender stereotypes while still in school and in the community, working together to develop. Implementing Project 6 of the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas (National Target Program 1719), the People's Committee of Tuong Duong district (Nghe An) recently donated gongs, drums, loudspeakers, and performance costumes to traditional performing arts groups. Located at an altitude of 1,086m above sea level, the Indochina Tripoint, in Bo Y commune, Ngoc Hoi district, Kon Tum province, is the point of contact between three countries: Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Known as the place where "a rooster's crow can be heard in three countries," the Indochina border crossing has become an attractive destination for many tourists who are passionate about travel, exploration, and experiencing new things at the tri-border marker. Throughout its development, Quang Ninh province has always paid special attention to the comprehensive development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas. In particular, the province issued Resolution No. 06-NQ/TU on "Sustainable socio-economic development associated with ensuring strong national defense and security in communes, villages, and hamlets in ethnic minority, mountainous, border, and island areas in the period 2021-2025, with orientation to 2030" (Resolution 06). Thanks to the Party's orientation and policies, the State's support resources, and the efforts of all sectors of the population, the ethnic minority and mountainous areas of Quang Ninh have undergone significant changes. In the journey of development in the villages, many shining examples have emerged in various fields, becoming exemplary figures who spread the spirit of self-reliance, self-improvement, and innovative thinking among the ethnic minority communities.
From the hotspot…
Que Phong used to be one of the localities with a significant rate of child marriage and consanguineous marriage. According to data reported by the Ethnic Affairs Committee of Nghe An province, from 2021 to the present, the locality has recorded 33 cases of child marriage.
In searching for the causes of this situation, we were deeply saddened. The first reason is the scattered population and the vast distances between villages; the poverty rate remains high at 30.09%... Furthermore, the low level of education and the persistence of many outdated customs, especially among the Hmong, Khmu, and Thai ethnic groups, still involve arranging marriages for children at a very young age to help the family and provide additional labor for farming and daily life, even before they reach the legal age.
Furthermore, due to the negative impacts of the market mechanism, harmful films and images have rapidly infiltrated the adolescent age group, leading to the normalization of cohabitation between men and women, resulting in child marriage and consanguineous marriage. Meanwhile, propaganda efforts are inadequate and ineffective; intervention from local authorities is not strong or decisive enough, and there are no sanctions for violations related to child marriage and consanguineous marriage..., leading to low effectiveness in preventing child marriage and consanguineous marriage.
Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Que Phong District, Bui Van Hien, revealed: "Right from the beginning of the 2021-2025 term, we were very worried because the rate of child marriage had already reached 25 cases. At that time, Que Phong was also a hotspot for child marriage. If compared on the rankings, Que Phong ranked 3rd in the province in terms of child marriage."
Then Mr. Hien's voice softened: "Many young people get married at a very young age, which poses many potential consequences for families, communities, and society. Child marriage and consanguineous marriage not only go against the customs and traditions of Vietnamese people but also violate the law and, more dangerously, leave immeasurable consequences for families, society, and future generations. Early marriage deprives mothers and children of opportunities for education, employment, improved living conditions, and healthcare. In particular, consanguineous marriage seriously affects the gene pool, intellectual development, and the quality of the population."
The alarming figures on child marriage rates since the beginning of the term have been a source of concern and anxiety, prompting the entire political system of Que Phong district to resolutely take action with decisive solutions and measures to prevent and reverse the trend.
...become a shining example
Under the leadership and guidance of the Provincial People's Committee and with the attention and implementation of various departments and agencies, the work of disseminating information and mobilizing people to avoid child marriage and consanguineous marriage has been intensified in Que Phong district through various methods and forms of propaganda and mobilization. The locality focuses on leveraging projects and policies to support these activities.
Specifically, this involves the implementation of Sub-project 2 on Reducing Child Marriage and Consanguineous Marriage in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas under Project 9 of the National Target Program for Socio -Economic Development of Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas giai đoạn 2021-2025 (National Target Program 1719).
To implement this, Que Phong district has determined that to minimize child marriage and consanguineous marriage, it is necessary to disseminate information effectively and to the right target audience: adolescents and young people. Accordingly, using funds allocated under the National Target Program 1719, in 2022, Que Phong organized 3 conferences to raise awareness about reducing child marriage and consanguineous marriage for target groups including adolescents, young people, women and men of the Mong and Khmu ethnic groups, parents and students of ethnic boarding schools, influential figures in ethnic minority communities, etc., with a total of 270 participants, printing 5700 informational leaflets and constructing 8 sets of informational billboards.
In 2023, Que Phong continued to organize 20 propaganda conferences targeting the same groups, with a total of 1,800 participants. Following that, in 2024, the locality also organized study tours for 38 people to exchange experiences in several northern provinces; and held 3 training courses to enhance legal knowledge and communication skills, including advocacy and legal counseling related to marriage, population, and family, for 247 participants, including officials working in ethnic affairs and legal reporters and propagandists.
In addition, Que Phong district has promoted the establishment and effective operation of clubs for preventing child marriage and consanguineous marriage at the grassroots level. Among the active clubs for preventing child marriage and consanguineous marriage, the club in Tam Hop village, Tri Le commune, and the Leaders of Change Club at Tri Le Ethnic Boarding Secondary School; the Leaders of Change Club at Thong Thu Ethnic Boarding Secondary School… are operating quite effectively.
Mr. Hoang Ngoc Thanh, Principal of Thong Thu Ethnic Boarding Junior High School, shared: The "Leaders of Change" Club at Thong Thu Ethnic Boarding Junior High School has 30 members, including 5 members of the Executive Board responsible for connecting, managing, and leading. Participating in the club has made the students more mature and confident; their behavior and communication skills have improved, and importantly, from their own knowledge, they have become active advocates in their classes, schools, families, and society, creating a ripple effect that helps the school better implement the dissemination of legal information to all students; contributing to raising awareness about child marriage and consanguineous marriage.
In addition to regular themed activities, local clubs for preventing child marriage and consanguineous marriage now focus on raising awareness and paying attention to high-risk groups for child marriage (parents who have separated, parents who work far away, etc.). Furthermore, these clubs coordinate the organization of competitions on gender equality, domestic violence prevention, and the prevention of child marriage and consanguineous marriage to raise awareness in the community.
Vice Chairman of Que Phong District People's Committee Bui Van Hien happily reported: Thanks to the involvement of the entire political system and various solutions, the situation of child marriage and consanguineous marriage in the district has improved significantly. People have gradually changed their outdated beliefs, prejudices, and customs; and their awareness of complying with the law has been raised.
"The most encouraging thing is that the number of child marriage cases has decreased sharply year by year. In 2021, there were 25 child marriages in the entire district, and in 2022, this number decreased to only 8. Notably, from 2023 to the present, there have been no cases of child marriage or consanguineous marriage in the localities," Deputy Chairman of the district Bui Van Hien informed.
Based on the results provided and shared by the leaders of Que Phong district, we also share in the joy of those who bear the responsibility and mission of disseminating information and campaigning to change mindsets and practices... to combat child marriage and consanguineous marriage, which have persisted for generations in this land. In a mountainous border district, once among the top in terms of child marriage and consanguineous marriage rates, today's results are truly remarkable. And it can be said that, from being a hotspot today, Que Phong has become a shining example in the prevention and control of child marriage and consanguineous marriage...
Source: https://baodantoc.vn/cham-dut-loi-ru-buon-noi-ban-lang-que-phong-1733991390239.htm
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