Narrowing the information gap to reduce multidimensional poverty

Promoting information poverty reduction

The 2021 - 2025 period marks an important turning point in poverty reduction in Vietnam, when for the first time applying multidimensional poverty standards, shifting from income-based assessment to comprehensive measurement of basic social service deprivation index. With that foundation, Vietnam has gradually formed an inclusive social security system, helping people not only receive income support but also access basic social services such as health care, education , credit, housing, clean water and information.

In particular, information poverty reduction is considered an "open door" to help people improve their knowledge, access development opportunities, thereby moving towards multidimensional poverty reduction. This is also the goal that the sub-project "Information poverty reduction" under Project 6 "Communication and information poverty reduction", the National Target Program on Sustainable Poverty Reduction for the period 2021 - 2025 aims for.

Implemented through a series of synchronous solutions, especially investment in infrastructure, from equipping computers, smartphones, Internet, mobile networks to information and propaganda media, the sub-project has created conditions for many poor households, near-poor households, newly escaped-poverty households and people in disadvantaged and especially disadvantaged communes, islands and island districts to access essential information, use telecommunications services and participate in the digital environment. Thanks to that, people have clearly transformed from a state of information shortage to proactive access to information.

Not only stopping at providing essential information, the sub-project also expands and diversifies the content, providing information suitable for each target group. From information on policies, laws, vocational skills, labor market to scientific and technical knowledge, gender equality, reproductive health and other social services, these contents not only help people boldly participate in the State's livelihood support models, contributing to increasing income, improving the quality of life but also easily apply to many areas of ensuring social security in life. This is an important foundation to promote multidimensional poverty reduction in a sustainable and long-term direction.

Give information, create opportunities

In recent years, thanks to the synchronous and extensive implementation of solutions, many localities across the country have recorded positive changes in narrowing the information gap, towards multidimensional poverty reduction. In Bac Ninh province, from the capital source of the National Target Program, the province has allocated a part of the investment budget for information technology and telecommunications infrastructure, ensuring mobile and fixed networks cover the entire area.

Smart loudspeaker systems are installed in many villages and hamlets and integrate digital technology, helping to expand many functions. Thanks to that, people, including those with little access to the Internet, do not miss important information. The province also coordinates with telecommunications enterprises to build free Internet access points at cultural houses and community centers. This solution contributes to increasing the rate of people using smartphones to more than 95%, creating a favorable foundation for the process of digital transformation in rural areas.

In Son La province, activities in the sub-project "Information poverty reduction" were implemented with many creative models such as: organizing digital skills training for village and union officials; updating information on loan policies, effective production models, and crop farming techniques on popular social networks such as Zalo and Facebook; instructing people on how to access, select, and apply information. From there, people have access to and fully grasp useful information, knowledge, policies, and laws of the Party and State.

Over time, the sub-project “Information poverty reduction” has gradually become an “opening” to help narrow the information gap, creating new opportunities for socio-economic development and multidimensional poverty reduction. With these efforts and the synchronous and effective implementation of poverty reduction programs, by the end of 2024, the poverty rate of Bac Ninh province will decrease to 0.97%, and Son La province will decrease to 10.89%.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/thu-hep-khoang-cach-thong-tin-de-giam-ngheo-da-chieu.html