Arousing the desire to study and the right to live a dignified life of highland girls

Project 8 under the National Target Program for Socio -Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas is being implemented with the expectation not only to support women and children but also to sow the seeds of equality and sustainable development in areas with many difficulties.

Deployed from 2021-2025 in poor mountainous communes in Binh Dinh province, Project 8 has left a strong impression - that is, a change in the way of thinking and living of ethnic minority women who rarely step out of their villages.

Binh Dinh Provincial Women's Union organized the launching ceremony to respond to the Month of Action for Gender Equality and Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence in 2024

According to Vice President of the Binh Dinh Women's Union Phung Thi Ngoc Tuyet, one of the most significant impacts that Project 8 has brought about is the change in mindset and inherent "ways of thinking" about the role and position of women in ethnic minority communities. No longer constrained by gender stereotypes, many women have boldly participated in training courses, clubs, and community media groups - where they are listened to, shared, and their inner strength is awakened.

Up to now, Binh Dinh has established 120 Community Communication Teams, exceeding the target by 13%, with the participation of 1,337 members who are prestigious and have communication capacity in the project villages, including 818 men - a clear demonstration of the change in community awareness.

Dramatized media sessions with more than 24,100 participants, competitions on gender equality, anti-domestic violence, and a series of training courses on communication skills, model operation... have truly spread the humane message and aroused the sense of responsibility in the community.

Agricultural products of ethnic minority women in Hoai An district

Not only stopping at propaganda, Project 8 implemented by the Binh Dinh Provincial Women's Union at all levels also focuses on empowering and improving the economic capacity of ethnic minority women. Small livelihood models and cooperatives led by women have been formed, promoting confidence and financial autonomy. More than 1,000 women have been trained to improve their capacity to apply science and technology and develop household economy.

In particular, green markets and local product connection markets organized by the Association at all levels in the 5 project districts have opened up a space for trading and promoting the unique culture of each ethnic group such as Ba Na, Hre, Cham H'Roi - where women not only sell goods but also proudly introduce their cultural identity.

In addition, Project 8, implemented by the Binh Dinh Provincial Women's Union at all levels, also created a forum for ethnic minority women and children to raise their voices, contributing to the criticism and supervision of local policies. Forty-nine policy dialogues were held, creating opportunities for people to directly express their wishes and give advice to the government. In particular, women and children were not only listeners but also active subjects - something rarely seen in communities that were heavily influenced by male chauvinism.

Also from this Project, 22 "Leaders of Change" Clubs were born, attracting more than 700 members who are students and ethnic minority youth - the future generation of the village. Not only participating in cultural activities, the children also participate in communication activities on gender equality and preventing school violence, thereby forming a fair and humane mindset right from school. The skits "I also want to go to school" and "Learning letters is so much fun" have aroused the desire to study and the right to live a worthy life of girls in the highlands.

This strong change is also fueled by equipping more than 2,000 local officials, village elders, and hamlet chiefs with gender mainstreaming knowledge and skills, helping authorities at all levels better identify and address gender issues in policy making and implementation.

With the efforts of the Binh Dinh Provincial Women's Union at all levels in implementing Project 8, ethnic minority women in Van Canh, An Lao, Vinh Thanh, Hoai An... have become the nucleus of spreading equality, progress and community development.

Binh Dinh: Ethnic minority women change "thinking and working methods" in economic development

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/khoi-day-khat-vong-hoc-tap-va-quyen-duoc-song-mot-cach-xung-dang-cua-tre-em-gai-vung-cao-20250523124947327.htm