The youth of Ben Quan say no to child marriage.

QTO - Once a locality with many cases of child marriage and consanguineous marriage, the people of Ben Quan commune have now changed. In this revival, the imprint of the Youth Union and the enthusiasm of young people have become a silent, persistent "driving force," gradually changing the mindset and practices of the people.

Changes from the school

Ben Quan commune was established by merging Ben Quan town with three mountainous communes: Vinh O, Vinh Khe, and Vinh Ha. Due to its large geographical area and numerous remote villages and ethnic minority communities, the area has faced persistent problems stemming from child marriage and consanguineous marriage.

In 2021, Ho Thi Nuong, a 17-year-old girl from Rao Truong village, Ben Quan commune, had to put her education on hold to become a wife and mother amidst material and emotional hardship. Without a profession or land for farming, the young couple relied solely on their fields for sustenance. Their early marriage, without proper preparation, trapped them in a cycle of poverty. Ho Thi Nuong's story is not unique. Based on this reality, Ben Quan commune has identified preventing child marriage and consanguineous marriage as a long-term task requiring the coordinated efforts of the entire political system, with youth union members playing a core role in propaganda and mobilization efforts.

Ben Quan Junior and Senior High School has a large concentration of Van Kieu students. This is also a vulnerable group, as the students are teenagers and are strongly influenced by the customs and traditional beliefs of their families and communities.

The Youth Union, along with influential individuals, is raising awareness about preventing child marriage and consanguineous marriage - Photo: PQ

Recognizing this risk, for many years the school has determined that preventing child marriage and consanguineous marriage is not just a campaign but a continuous task linked to the goal of comprehensive education . Instead of one-way propaganda, activities are designed to be flexible, lively, and age-appropriate, such as: dramatizations, painting competitions, distributing leaflets, and training in communication skills on reducing child marriage and consanguineous marriage.

Ms. Pham Thi Kim Loan, a school health officer at Ben Quan Secondary and High School, said that in addition to textbook knowledge, the school regularly organizes extracurricular activities and thematic sessions to educate students about gender and adolescent reproductive health care. It is noteworthy that students' awareness has significantly improved. Many students have become "bridges" and advocates for their families and communities, contributing to spreading positive messages about education, self-improvement, and career development before starting a family.

Ho Thi Quynh Nhu, a student in class 10A3, shared: “Previously, I thought that getting married early was normal, as many adults in the village said. But after my teachers explained the law and the long-term consequences, I understand that early marriage will cause me to drop out of school, make my life difficult, and affect my health. I will try my best to study hard to have a better life.”

"Going door to door" to secure the future.

The campaign to eradicate outdated customs in Ben Quan didn't stop at schools; it was implemented throughout the community. Local authorities strengthened coordination with various departments, agencies, and organizations, deploying a "door-to-door" propaganda strategy. Judicial, health, and population officials, along with youth union members, proactively visited each village to talk, listen, and share with families and young people.

According to Mr. Ho Van Son, Secretary of the Youth Union of Xom Moi village, to ensure effective propaganda work, in addition to integrating the content into village meetings and club activities, union members also visit each household. Since people mainly work in the fields during the day, propaganda sessions are usually held in the evening, when the whole family is together.

Alongside awareness campaigns, improving livelihoods and raising the economic living standards of the people has been identified as a fundamental solution to reduce child marriage. Youth organizations, in coordination with relevant departments and agencies, connect young people with loan sources, support suitable economic models, help them learn vocational skills, create jobs, and earn stable incomes.

Deputy Chairman of Ben Quan Commune People's Committee, Tran Van Tang, affirmed that thanks to effective propaganda and mobilization efforts, the commune has not recorded any cases of consanguineous marriage in the past 10 years. Since 2022, there have been no cases of child marriage in the area. In the coming time, the Commune People's Committee will continue to direct schools, health stations, and cultural departments to intensify propaganda efforts to raise people's awareness of the harmful effects of child marriage and consanguineous marriage on the gene pool and quality of life.

Pham Quynh

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202512/tuoi-tre-ben-quan-noi-khong-voi-tao-hon-2e60867/