Community initiative in Tra Vinh promotes gender equality

SNV in coordination with the Women's Union of Duyen Hai District and Ngu Lac Commune and the Women's Union of Duyen Hai Town and Truong Long Hoa Commune, organised an impactful event to raise awareness about gender equality among families in these two communes. This initiative is a key component of Phase II of the Tra Vinh Community Development Project (CDP Tra Vinh), funded by Tra Vinh Wind Power Company Ltd. No.1 (TWPC) and implemented by SNV from 2023 to 2026. The event which took place on May 29 and 30, welcomed representatives from the donor TWPC, women's unions, local authorities, SNV in Vietnam and families from the project sites.

The critical role of gender equality

Gender equality is a fundamental human right and a key driver for sustainable development and social inclusion. Despite progress in Tra Vinh, challenges such as gender stereotypes and unequal access to education and economic opportunities persist, especially in minority areas. This event aimed to address these challenges and promote a more equitable society by focusing on three main objectives:

- Sharing housework: Encouraging family members to share household responsibilities more equitably, thereby reducing the burden on women and enabling them to participate more fully in economic and social activities.

- Women's economic empowerment: Providing women with the knowledge, skills and financial support they need to participate confidently in the labour market and business activities.

- increasing local community awareness: Increasing understanding of the importance of gender equality and promoting changes in attitudes and behaviour within families and communities to minimise discrimination.

Change through collaboration

With the participation of around 100 families, the events included activities designed to introduce and share knowledge about the importance of gender equality within families and communities. These activities aimed to develop women's skills and confidence. To create a lively and engaging atmosphere, games and interactive activities were organised to attract both parents and children. These activities not only strengthened family solidarity, but also taught profound lessons about gender equality.

Building on the success of CDP Tra Vinh Phase II

Enhancing gender equality and women’s economic empowerment is one of the three main components of the CDP Tra Vinh in Phase II. Building on the success of Phase I, the CDP Tra Vinh continues to be supported by TWPC. The project, running from 2023 to 2026, aims to improve the livelihoods of local people through the development of horticulture and aquaculture, promoting climate-smart and sustainable production, and supporting women’s economic empowerment. The project is being implemented in Truong Long Hoa and Long Toan communes in Duyen Hai town, and Ngu Lac commune in Duyen Hai district. Its three main components are:

• Improving sustainable and climate-smart production: Promoting practices that are environmentally friendly and resilient to climate change.

• Developing inclusive horticulture and aquaculture value chains: Ensuring that these value chains are accessible to all community members.

• Enhancing gender equality and women’s economic empowerment: Fostering an environment where women can thrive economically and socially.

Voices of support

Mr. Pham Xuan Tuan, HSSSE Manager at TWPC expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, 'We are thrilled to support the CDP Tra Vinh project, particularly this awareness event. The equitable division of household tasks and the empowerment of women economically are essential elements for enhancing family well-being and fostering women's active engagement in economic and social endeavors. We hope that this event will deepen families' comprehension of gender equality's significance, inspiring collaborative efforts to cultivate a more resilient and sustainable community.'

Dr. Le Thi Thu Huong, CDP Tra Vinh Project Manager, emphasized the broader impact, 'Gender equality plays a pivotal role not just in advancing human rights, but also in nurturing the long-term growth of communities. This event seeks to not only raise awareness but also instigate shifts in mindset and behaviour within families and society. We place special emphasis on promoting fair distribution of household duties between partners, affording women more opportunities to participate in economic endeavours and bolstering their economic empowerment. It is our aspiration that this event will catalyse positive and enduring transformations in how the local community perceives and acts upon gender equality.'

Ms. Nguyen Thi My Chau, Chairwoman of Duyen Hai District Women's Union also shared insights, 'The Women's Union of Ngu Lac and Trường Long Hoa actively engaged in activities aimed at raising awareness about gender equality through organizing gatherings, knowledge-sharing, and community education sessions. Our focus has been on encouraging families to share household responsibilities and facilitating women's participation in economic and social activities. Events like these not only enhance gender equality awareness but also support women in skill development, boosting confidence, and positively contributing to community development. We believe this event marks a significant step in reshaping attitudes and behaviours regarding gender equality within the community. The widespread participation of families and support from organizations such as SNV and TWPC serve as strong motivators in achieving our set objectives.'

The gender equality awareness event in Tra Vinh is a testament to the collaborative efforts of SNV, TWPC, local authorities, and the community. Through continued support and engagement, initiatives like these will contribute to building a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable future for all.