From old ways of thinking to a new way of life.

Community communication teams are not only a bridge for disseminating information but also an important tool in changing people's mindsets and practices, creating opportunities for women and children to be protected and actively participate in social activities. In Thach Kiet commune, Tan Son district, the community communication team model has shown many positive results.

Ms. Ha Thi Thu Hue is one of eight members of the community communication team in Chieng area, Thach Kiet commune. A Muong woman, born and raised in Tan Son, she was taught from a young age by her grandparents and parents that women must be diligent, hardworking, and dedicated to caring for the family, working in the fields, cooking, etc. Muong women rarely participate in major family or clan affairs, and few receive formal education.

The training session provided guidance on operating community communication teams according to the central government's handbook.

Ms. Hue said: “Since joining the Community Communication Team, through the meetings, I have heard practical content that has helped me change my perception of gender equality, marriage and family law, child marriage law, and other pressing issues for women and children.”

Since the Community Communication Team was established, I have clearly seen a change in the awareness of the people, especially women. They realize that in addition to taking care of their families, women can also participate in community work and career development. Programs promoting health, child protection, women's rights, and community development have helped raise awareness and motivate more women to participate in these activities.”

To implement Project 8, Thach Kiet commune, Tan Son district, established the first community communication team model in 2023 in Chieng area, consisting of 8 members. This team included the participation of the head of the residential area, the Party branch secretary, and influential individuals, to enhance the voices of women and girls in the community.

The awareness campaigns have contributed to changing the mindset and perceptions of the people in the commune, especially women.

In 2024, Thach Kiet commune established three more communication teams (each with 10 members) in the following areas: Dung 1, Dung 2, and Minh Nga. Currently, the commune has a total of four community communication teams with 38 members participating, along with many combined measures to concretize the tasks, targets, and solutions for implementing the Project.

Through awareness campaigns aimed at ensuring the voices and genuine participation of women and children in community socio-economic development activities, support women's participation in leadership within the political system is crucial. This ensures women's voices and roles in local socio-economic issues, such as attending community meetings, engaging with constituents, and contributing ideas to the political system. This helps them change their mindsets and practices within the community, gradually eliminating gender stereotypes and harmful customs, and promoting gender equality and sustainable development for women and children.

Ms. Ha Thi Thu Thao, Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Thach Kiet commune, said: "To effectively implement Project 8, the Women's Union of Thach Kiet commune has discussed and agreed with each community communication team to choose portable loudspeakers as a form of support to help the community communication teams effectively carry out their propaganda activities. The teams also participated in training courses on communication skills and methods of writing news articles, building communication networks on digital platforms, etc."

Community communication teams play a crucial role in changing people's mindsets and ways of doing things.

The goal is for 100% of community communication teams to utilize social media to share and update information. Through these communication methods, the teams will conduct campaigns to eliminate gender stereotypes and build a safe living environment for women and children.”

The awareness campaigns have contributed to changing the mindset and perceptions of the people in the commune, especially women. They have learned to take control of their lives, actively participate in developing the family economy , pursue vocational training, enhance their self-worth, and gain a voice in their families and society.

To date, Tan Son district has established 68 community communication teams in 68 villages and communes, with 138 members participating. The Women's Union of the district has actively carried out propaganda work with 86 sessions, involving women's union officials at all levels, on family, women, and children; 8 training conferences guiding the establishment and operation of communication teams with over 569 participants; and 5 communication campaigns with 28 sessions on gender stereotypes, changing mindsets and practices, contributing to the gradual elimination of outdated customs in the locality, attracting more than 15,000 members, women, and people to participate.

The Women's Union of Thach Kiet commune, in coordination with the Thach Kiet commune Health Station, is conducting propaganda and mobilization efforts to promote safe childbirth among ethnic minority women.

Ms. Dinh Thi Thu Hien, President of the Women's Union of Tan Son District, shared: "Despite facing numerous difficulties in the communication work, such as limited awareness and geographical conditions, we still set clear goals and selected members to participate in the project model who are reputable, enthusiastic, and responsible. In particular, they are people who understand the local area, are fluent in the ethnic languages, and know the customs and traditions of the community, which helps to improve the effectiveness of the project's communication work."

The achievements of the Community Communication Team in Thach Kiet commune are the goals and objectives of Project 8 on "Implementing Gender Equality and Addressing Urgent Issues for Women and Children" under the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas, giai đoạn 2021-2025. The initial results show positive signs in changing the awareness of the people of Thach Kiet commune in particular and Tan Son district in general regarding the change and eventual elimination of cultural customs harmful to women and children.

Bao Thoa

Source: https://baophutho.vn/tu-nep-nghi-cu-den-cuoc-song-moi-223144.htm