Many gender-equality related goals set 

In recent years, the Party and State have made great efforts and implemented various measures to enhance gender equality in all fields in ethnic minority areas. However, in reality, efforts to support gender equality in Vietnam in general and ethnic minority areas in particular have not met the requirements of the integration process.

In 2022, in the National Target Program for socio-economic development of ethnic minority areas for the period 2021 - 2030, phase I from 2021 to 2025, the Government has included the issue of gender equality into one of the component projects of the program. That is Project 8 "Implementing gender equality and solving urgent problems for women and children".

In order to effectively implement Project 8 "Implementing gender equality and solving urgent problems for women and children" in the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority areas and mountainous areas, the Central Vietnam Women's Union has issued a Point Direction Plan.

Plan to simultaneously deploy Project 8 intervention models and activities in a number of representative localities across the country, thereby serving as a basis for evaluation and drawing experience for direction and Managing and implementing Project 8 and spreading and replicating the model nationwide.

Accordingly, there are 8 provinces representing the regions (Northern, Central, Central Highlands, Southwest, Southeast) that will deploy according to the Point Direction Plan including: Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Cao Bang , Lai Chau, Quang Binh, Gia Lai, Binh Phuoc, Soc Trang.

Each province will select a suitable commune to focus resources and comprehensively intervene in the Project's models. Implementation time is from 2022 to 2025.

In Soc Trang, Project 8 is implemented by the Provincial Women's Union with many solutions. Currently, the Women's Union of Soc Trang province has more than 212 thousand members (of which, more than 32% of members are ethnic minorities).

Project 8 deployed in Soc Trang province includes 4 main contents. In particular, we focus on propagating and campaigning to change thinking and ways of doing things, contributing to eliminating prejudices and gender stereotypes in the family and community, harmful customs and a number of urgent social issues. for women and children. Build and replicate models to change thinking, working methods, and enhance economic empowerment for women; promote gender equality.

In addition, ensure the voice and substantive participation of women and children in community socio-economic development activities, social monitoring and criticism; Support women to participate in leadership in the political system. At the same time, equip knowledge about gender equality and skills to implement gender integration for officials in the political system, religious dignitaries and reputable people in the community.

The project's beneficiaries are women and girls in extremely difficult communes and hamlets; Prioritize women and girls from ethnic minorities in poor and near-poor households, victims of trafficking, domestic violence, sexual abuse, unsafe labor migration, and marriage. returning from abroad, people with disabilities.

Deployment areas are communes, hamlets, and ethnic minority areas, with priority given to particularly difficult areas. For Soc Trang province, Project 8 is implemented in 42 communes of 9 districts and towns, including: Thanh Tri, My Xuyen, Chau Thanh, My Tu, Ke Sach, Long Phu, Tran De, Vinh Chau town and Nga Nam town. Each year, the number of hamlets will be changed to implement the project.

By 2025, Project 8 will implement a number of key targets such as establishing 118 community media groups; 14 trusted addresses in the community; 40 self-managed savings and loan groups were strengthened, improved in quality or newly established and maintained in operation; 7 women-owned or co-owned livelihood groups or livelihood groups (groups, livelihood groups, cooperative groups, cooperatives) apply 4.0 technology in production.

In addition, 80% of ethnic minority women of childbearing age are propagated and educated to raise awareness about safe motherhood and child health care. Established 24 children's change leaders clubs to enhance capacity and support organizing activities.

Organized 58 policy dialogues at commune, hamlet and cluster levels. There are 50 ethnic minority female officials at district and commune levels (including female officials in planning for leadership positions, newly appointed female officials, and newly elected female officials for the first time) whose capacity has been improved. .

Raising awareness through propaganda 

In recent times, the Women's Union at all levels in Soc Trang province has always strengthened its grasp of the ideological situation, thoughts and aspirations of women members and the situation's developments, resolving internal conflicts right from the start. basis, do not let the ""hot spots", especially in areas with a large number of ethnic minorities.

To create change in implementing gender equality, every year, the Provincial Women's Union has specific plans and effectively implements projects on implementing gender equality. Accordingly, at each facility, the Association will select local pressing issues related to the four moral qualities "Confidence, self-respect, loyalty, and diligence" to organize thematic talks, seminar...

The Association also mobilizes and supports women so they do not fall into social evils such as gambling, drugs, and prostitution; intervene and help cases of women and children being abused and abused in the area.

At the same time, open propaganda classes, training courses, and specialized talks on preventing and combating social evils, drugs, black credit, violence, and abuse of women and children; Preventing and preventing accidents and injuries for children.

In 2023 alone, the Provincial Assembly has directed the establishment of 60 community communications groups; 14 safe addresses (trusted addresses in the community); Organized 9 classes to instruct, operate and manage the communications team. At the same time, organize training classes on activities to support groups, livelihood groups, cooperative groups, and cooperatives owned or co-owned by women in applying science and technology.

Operate the “Leaders of Change” Club. Guidance on mid-term monitoring and evaluation of gender equality in the implementation of the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority areas. Organize 10 training classes for women officials at all levels according to Program 2 on improving gender mainstreaming capacity and Program 3 on promoting gender equality in the community.

Associations at all levels have implemented a project to organize 400 communication sessions, share and update information on building a communication network on digital platforms; 110 communication sessions at hamlets and clusters implementing the project; 9 grassroots and media campaigns associated with activities and women's associations on safe motherhood and child health care; 27 policy dialogues…

Through the project, along with association work movement activities, Soc Trang province hopes to contribute to raising awareness, changing prejudices, taking care of material and spiritual life, protecting and taking care of women. women and children. Help women and children be more confident in protecting themselves and enjoying legitimate and legal rights. Minimize child abuse in schools and communities. In addition, association officials at all levels will also have their capacity improved in integrating gender in implementing national target programs, as well as professional tasks.

It can be seen that, at all levels, the Women's Union of Soc Trang province, through propaganda work and models to advise and support gender equality, has received the support of the entire political system and raised awareness of gender equality. awareness and protection of the legal and legitimate rights and interests of women.

Nowadays, women not only gradually demonstrate equal rights in life but also participate in many activities in most areas of society.

Specifically, in the field of education and training, ethnic students are increasingly participating in learning, and the ratio of male and female students is no longer much different. Ethnic minority women receive vocational training and employment support, and ethnic minorities all have health insurance and health care.

In the economic and political fields, the role of women is increasingly enhanced because they have actively participated in building guidelines, policies and laws of the Party and State; increases products for society and family income.

Quynh Nga