The program "We strive for a just world that advances children's right and equality for girls" was recently held Lai Chau and Kon Tum provinces. This event is the result of the Central Vietnam Women's Union, People's Committees of the districts, branches, involved departments at all levels along with Plan International In Vietnam, Live&Learn Vietnam, and their combined wishes to protect and invest in Vietnam's girls.

The workshop is held via both in-person and online formats. Source: Plan International Vietnam

The Vietnam Women's Union collaborated with Plan International Vietnam and Live&Learn Vietnam on Dec. 20 to hold a closing workshop concluding the project "We strive for a just world that advances children's right and equality for girls", 2017 – 2021 period.

The conference is held in the form of direct and online connection between three bridge points (Hanoi, Lai Chau city and Kon Plong district, Kon Tum province), livestream on the fanpage of Vietnam Women's Union, Plan International Vietnam, and Live&Learn.

The project is implemented in 5 communes Mang But, Dak Ring, Mang Canh, Hieu, and Dak Tang of Konplong district, Kon Tum province; and 4 communes Lang Mo, Ta Ngao, Ta Phin, Ma Quai of Sin Ho district, Lai Chau province from January 2017 to December 2021.

The project focuses on promoting a comprehensive early childcare and education system, building a safe and friendly educational environment for children through two components: Child care and development and Disaster risk prevention and response to climate change.

The representative of the research team presents the project results.

After 5 years of implementation, the project has basically achieved set goals and has significant impacts on the target groups including children, teachers, parents, volunteers, members of the Women’s Union, local authorities.

Project activities have contributed to improving the development of children in the localities, notably the rate of stunting in children under 5 years old in the project communes has decreased significantly from 25.68% (2017) to 14.37% (2021); and academic performance of children aged 6-8 have improved (94.30% of grade 2 children meet requirements for Vietnamese and 96.35% meet Math class requirements).

These results have contributed to the improvement and creation of a safe learning environment, care and education for ethnic minority children; improve the capacity of child care, education and disaster risk prevention for children, teachers, parents and the community.

“The project has practical impacts not only on ethnic minority children and their parents but is also an opportunity for participants of the project to improve knowledge and life skills,” shared Tan Luu May, a project volunteer in Lai Chau.

Celebrating the successful implementation of the project, Sharon Kane, Country Director, Plan International Vietnam, voiced her happiness to see the program has promoted the importance of talking about gender equality in the early childhood education system and in the parenting platforms, which will have a long-term impact on the lives of disadvantaged children living in ethnic minority locations.

Speakers at the event.

Project activities in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum have achieved outstanding results in educational activities at schools, especially, Kon Tum’s Department of Education and Training has expanded the application of the new method of professional meetings throughout the province and incorporated it into the Department's plan.

Meanwhile, in the northwestern mountainous province of Lai Chau, through the activities of parent groups, parents and caregivers in four communes of Sin Ho district, have access to positive parenting methods, actively joining schools in early childhood education. Parents are also more knowledgeable about disaster prevention, are more interested in environmental protection, and have more opportunities to improve their livelihood, which supports children's nutrition. In the project area, the rate of malnourished children has decreased, children are interested in early education, have better cognitive ability and have the opportunity to participate in leisure and educational activities in the community.

The organizers give awards to the students. Within the closing workshop of the project "We strive for a just world that advances children's right and equality for girls", 2017 – 2021 period, Mang Canh Primary School for Ethnic Minority Students on Dec. 20 held an awarding ceremony of a drawing contest to promote communications on disaster risk reduction and climate change response for students. The drawing contest was organized by Plan’s Steering Committee of the project in Kon Plong district, Kon Tum province at 12 elementary schools and junior high schools in project communes. It received 1440 participating drawings and in total, 24 first prizes, 24 second prizes, 24 third prizes and 48 consolation prizes have been awarded. The contest aims at communicating about disaster risk reduction, climate change response while giving students the opportunity to voice their opinions and be listened to so that they are able to learn in safe school environments. It also provides opportunities for students to explore and acknowledge local issues related to the environment, natural disasters and climate change.

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