Reducing child marriage in ethnic minority areas

The Department of Population and Family Planning organized communication for students of Van Ho Boarding Secondary and High School for Ethnic Minorities.

Every year, the health sector coordinates with departments, branches, sectors, organizations and localities to develop a propaganda plan, integrating the content of preventing early marriage and consanguineous marriage into the movements of the Women's Union and Youth Union, implementing through thematic activities, groups, direct consultation and legal education , focusing on the following contents: Law on Marriage and Family, adolescent reproductive health, benefits of premarital health check-ups, prevention of thalassemia, pre- and post-natal screening, reproductive health care...

Over the past 10 years, the province has organized 187 communication sessions for Party committees, authorities and prestigious people in the community, with nearly 20,000 participants; 656 direct communication sessions at the grassroots level, attracting over 52,000 people. Along with that, editing, printing and distributing 4,500 specialized newsletters, 250 VCDs, 135,000 leaflets to propagate the harmful effects of early marriage, incestuous marriage and gender imbalance at birth.

In addition, the province has also deployed and expanded the model of "Intervention to reduce child marriage and consanguineous marriage" in 35 communes; established 12 clubs in ethnic boarding schools, with 60 members; organized 2 workshops, 19 training courses, conferences on improving population quality and communication skills for population collaborators, commune officials, and prestigious people. Thanks to that, grassroots officials and village elders and village chiefs have promoted an active role in mobilizing to eliminate backward marriage customs, promptly preventing some cases at risk of child marriage and consanguineous marriage.

Population officers at Chieng Khoong Commune Health Station distribute leaflets to educate people about the harmful effects of child marriage.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Hung, Deputy Director of the Department of Health, said: After 10 years of implementation, with the attention and direction of the Provincial People's Committee and the close coordination of all levels, sectors and localities, the reduction of child marriage and consanguineous marriage has achieved many positive results. The awareness of ethnic minorities has been raised, the rate of child marriage has decreased from 17% (in 2015) to 8.7% in June 2025; to date, there are no more cases of consanguineous marriage.

After the merger, Xim Vang commune has 10 villages, 100% of which are Mong ethnic people. Previously, the locality used to be a "hot spot" for child marriage and incestuous marriage. With the efforts of Party committees and authorities at all levels, in recent years, the situation of child marriage has decreased significantly, and cases of incestuous marriage no longer occur.

Staff of Van Ho Commune Health Station distributed propaganda leaflets to the people.

Mr. Hang A Cu, Head of the Culture Department of Xim Vang Commune, said: The commune has promoted the role of village elders, village chiefs, and prestigious people in the community to propagate and guide people to properly implement the provisions of the law on population. Up to now, the commune has completely eliminated the situation of incestuous marriage. Fortunately, most young people no longer drop out of school early to get married, but are determined to study, equip themselves with knowledge, and expand their job opportunities at companies in and outside the province.

Although the rate of early marriage and consanguineous marriage in the province has shown a clear downward trend, this figure is still high compared to the national average. The main reasons come from long-standing customs and practices, along with difficult economic conditions, limited education level, and uneven awareness among some people.

To thoroughly resolve this situation, in addition to the participation of all levels and sectors, there needs to be the cooperation of the whole society, especially the exemplary and active role of village elders, village chiefs, and prestigious people in the community, gradually changing awareness, behavior and building a civilized lifestyle in marriage and family.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/xa-hoi/giam-thieu-tao-hon-vung-dong-bao-dan-toc-thieu-so-S9uT1bjNR.html