From community communication models, children's clubs, addresses to support women affected by violence to activities to enhance economic empowerment, Project 8 is creating gradual changes in social life in the highlands of Quang Tri.
The Women's Union (Women's Union) of Quang Tri province is assigned to preside over the implementation of Project 8 under the National Target Program for socio-economic development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas in the period 2021-2030.
In the process of implementation, the Association has focused on 4 main content groups including propaganda to change perceptions, building models to promote gender equality, ensuring the voice of women and children, and improving the capacity to implement gender equality for officials and the community.
One of the outstanding results is that a system of support models in the community has been gradually formed and promoted effectively.
Community communication groups have become a force directly propagating gender equality, preventing domestic violence, eliminating gender stereotypes and inappropriate customs.
The "Reliable Address" model creates more support for women and children when facing difficulties; while the "Leader of Change" Club helps children, especially girls, improve their knowledge and self-protection skills.
According to the Quang Tri Provincial Women's Union, the intervention models of Project 8 have received the coordination of Party committees, authorities, sectors, unions and the participation of people. Initially, the models have contributed to raising awareness and changing behavior in preventing domestic violence, gender equality and solving urgent issues for women and children.
Besides the achieved results, the implementation process of Project 8 also shows difficulties that need to be further resolved. In which, maintaining the operation of models after being established is still an issue of concern due to limited maintenance resources.
According to the Quang Tri Provincial Women's Union, changing perceptions about gender equality in ethnic minority areas is a long process, requiring the participation of the entire political system and community.
Therefore, in the next phase, the Association continues to identify the key task as maintaining and improving the quality of implemented models; strengthening communication to change "thinking and working styles"; improving the capacity of ethnic minority female officials; promoting the participation of women in socio-economic development.
It can be seen that the greatest value of Project 8 lies not only in the number of models established but also in the change in community awareness.
When women are given opportunities, children are protected, people's voices are heard, and gender stereotypes are gradually removed, that is the foundation for building an equal, progressive and sustainable society in ethnic minority and mountainous areas of Quang Tri province.
