Journey to say no to child marriage

Early marriage and incestuous marriages force many students to drop out of school, leaving long-term consequences for health, economy and population quality. In order to join hands to fight this problem, the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions has carried out many propaganda activities and launched a model to prevent and combat early marriage among union members and youth.

A propaganda session to prevent child marriage and incestuous marriage at Chau Thanh Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities. Photo: DANH THANH

Spread the message from school

In early November, in the classroom of Chau Thanh Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities, Chau Thanh Commune, many parents listened to the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions officers share the topic "Reducing early marriage and incestuous marriage". Through real stories, illustrations and lively Q&A sessions, parents understood that early marriage not only takes away the opportunity to study but also makes their children face many difficulties and instabilities in life. "Before, I used to think that it was normal for girls to grow up early and get married early. But when I heard the officers clearly state the harmful effects of early marriage, I felt worried. Now I just hope my children will finish their studies, have a stable job and then start a family," said Ms. Thi Diep, a resident of Binh An Commune.

At An Giang 1 Ethnic Boarding High School in Rach Gia Ward, the training session helped students learn about legal regulations on marriage age. In addition, they were instructed on skills to identify and prevent child marriage, and to recognize the consequences of early marriage from interrupted education, economic difficulties to reproductive health effects. "The training sessions helped me better understand my responsibilities. I want to try to study hard to have a better future and not rush into marriage when I'm not ready," said Danh Thi Viet Trinh, a student at the school.

These honest sharings show that the awareness of students and parents has gradually changed. The message of “building a future without child marriage” is spreading from the school, where knowledge and dreams are sown for the youth of ethnic minorities.

Promoting the role of ethnic minority youth

In addition to propaganda work, the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions also focuses on building a model of "Prevention and control of child marriage and incestuous marriage" among union members and ethnic minority youth. On October 8, the Department coordinated with An Giang 2 Boarding High School for Ethnic Minorities, Chau Doc Ward to introduce 27 members of the Executive Board of the model "Prevention and control of child marriage and incestuous marriage". "The establishment of the model at the school is a necessary activity. Members are provided with information and documents, become propagandists to participate in mobilizing friends and relatives to comply with the provisions of the Law on Marriage and Family, and push back the situation of child marriage", said Mr. Bui Hoang Nam - Secretary of the school's Youth Union, Deputy Head of the Standing Board of the Model Executive Board.

The model is considered a "bridge" between the school and students, helping to spread information, promptly grasp the thoughts, and orient the correct awareness of ethnic minority youth. Activities, seminars, film screenings, and dramatizations of the topics of marriage and family are held regularly, creating a healthy environment for exchange and learning. "I am very happy to be part of the model's Executive Board. First, my friends and I will promote it in class, with relatives in the family and in the locality. In addition, we will collect videos and images about the consequences of child marriage to post on social networks, making it easier for students to access," Chau Quoc Anh - a member of the model's Executive Board emphasized.

These models help build a generation of young ethnic minorities who are confident, knowledgeable and happy. Deputy Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions Danh Tha said: “It is important to let them become propagandists, sharing knowledge with friends and family. When students understand the harmful effects of child marriage, they themselves will be the ones to spread the strongest message. They will work with the government to build a future without child marriage - for the happiness, health and sustainable development of the race.”

To date, 100% of ethnic minority boarding high schools have a model of "Prevention and control of child marriage and incestuous marriage" among ethnic minority youth and union members. Since the beginning of 2025, the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions has organized 9 training courses and 3 propaganda conferences on reducing child marriage and incestuous marriage, attracting nearly 500 delegates to attend.

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Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/hanh-trinh-noi-khong-voi-tao-hon-a467079.html