Empowering women from ethnic minorities

Women from ethnic minority groups account for over 12% of the province's total population. In recent years, with the province's attention, many policies and support programs have been widely implemented, contributing to narrowing the regional gap and improving the material and spiritual lives of women in ethnic minority, mountainous, border, and island areas.

Agricultural production activities of women's association members in Dai Van village (Van Don Special Economic Zone). Photo: Hoang Giang

Women's Unions at all levels in the province have actively implemented movements linked to the socio -economic development tasks of the locality. In particular, the campaign "Building a family with 5 no's and 3 clean's" continues to be effectively implemented, contributing to the concretization of Resolution 06-NQ/TU dated July 15, 2021 and Resolution 17-NQ/TU dated October 30, 2023 of the Provincial Party Committee.

Over the past four years, women's associations at all levels have supported nearly 8,000 households in achieving the eight criteria of "5 no's and 3 clean's," helping women improve their skills in organizing their lives, caring for their children, ensuring hygiene and nutrition, and preventing social evils and domestic violence. Each year, each association branch registers at least one project to contribute to building new rural areas and civilized urban areas, such as maintaining environmental hygiene, supporting poor households, and creating green, clean, and beautiful landscapes.

Since 2022, the "Building a Family with 5 No's and 3 Cleanliness Standards" campaign has been expanded to include the "Building a Family with 5 Yes's and 3 Cleanliness Standards" campaign (having a safe home, sustainable livelihood, health, knowledge, and a cultured lifestyle; clean house, clean kitchen, and clean alley). To date, 16 communes have implemented the campaign with 14 "Families with 5 Yes's and 3 Cleanliness Standards" models, contributing to affirming the role of women in building new rural areas, civilized urban areas, and sustainable poverty reduction.

A notable initiative supporting ethnic minority women is the "Accompanying Women in Border Areas" program, implemented by the Provincial Women's Union in coordination with the Border Guard in six disadvantaged border communes. From 2021 to the present, the total value of mobilized resources has reached over 15 billion VND, along with thousands of man-days contributed by officers, soldiers, and women's union members.

Through the program, 90 awareness campaigns were organized for 5,000 members; support was provided for 25 household economic development models; nearly 80 "Borderland Shelters" were built and renovated; 460 sanitation facilities were constructed; hundreds of gifts, study corners, and regular support were given to 152 students. The program not only helped women raise awareness and improve their lives, but also strengthened the relationship between the military and civilians in border areas, creating a combined force to care for the practical interests of women and children.

Then singing club, Na Lang village, Binh Lieu commune. (Photo: Provided by the club)

Implementing the Project "Propaganda and mobilization to improve nutrition and physical health for children in highland, ethnic minority, and mountainous areas in the period 2022-2025", the Provincial Women's Union has deployed it in 64 key communes, focusing on 16 communes with high rates of malnourished children.

As a result, 21 "Child Care and Education " models have been established to date, with 100% of children in the models having height and weight tracking records; 118 training courses and 8 competitions have been organized, and 14,000 informational leaflets have been distributed. The rate of underweight and stunted growth in children under 5 years old has gradually decreased over the years; many outdated customs and habits in healthcare and nutrition have been eliminated.

In addition, Project 8 on "Gender Equality and Addressing Urgent Issues for Women and Children" under the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Regions in Quang Ninh has achieved many positive results.

To date, the province has established 71 community communication groups, 56 "Leaders of Change" clubs, organized over 200 communication campaigns, and 20 training courses with nearly 10,000 participants. Creative communication models and products by ethnic minority children have won high awards at national competitions. These activities have contributed to eliminating gender stereotypes, reducing child marriage and consanguineous marriage, preventing domestic violence, promoting gender equality, and building prosperous and happy families.

Policies supporting ethnic minority women in Quang Ninh province over the past period have not only had social welfare significance but also served as a driving force for the comprehensive development of disadvantaged areas. The province's goal is to ensure that 100% of women members in ethnic minority and mountainous areas receive information and support to enhance their economic empowerment and develop livelihoods while preserving and promoting the valuable traditional cultural values ​​of their ethnic groups.

Hoai Minh

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/tro-luc-cho-phu-nu-dan-toc-thieu-so-3383102.html