With the message “Leave no woman behind,” the program has become a bridge of love, connecting millions of hearts with those in border areas. Through sustainable livelihood support activities, it has encouraged border women to actively join mutual support groups, boldly start businesses, and make practical contribution to socio-economic development as well as to the firm safeguarding of national sovereignty and border security.
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Outstanding collectives in implementing the "Accompanying women in border areas” program in the 2021-2025 period honored |
Raising knowledge and responsibility for border protection among women
From 2018 to 2020, the “Accompanying Women in Border Areas” program was jointly implemented by the Vietnam Women’s Union and the Vietnam Border Guard Command in 110 extremely disadvantaged communes across 26 border provinces. Building on the success of its first phase, the two parties signed an agreement on December 26, 2020, in Thanh Hoa City to expand the program for the 2021–2025 period, covering 100 underprivileged communes in 30 border and island provinces.
At a recent conference reviewing the program’s 2021–2025 phase, Vice President of the Vietnam Women’s Union Nguyen Thi Minh Huong emphasized that in the new phase (2025–2030), the Union will continue working with relevant sectors to support women in border areas in socio-economic development and the safeguarding of national sovereignty and border security.
Reports presented at the event highlighted that over the past five years, the program has significantly enhanced women’s knowledge, skills, and sense of responsibility regarding national sovereignty and border protection. This has been achieved through conferences, workshops, cultural exchanges, dramatized events, “Communication Markets,” the “Border Guard Loudspeaker” initiative, exhibitions, film screenings, banners, posters, and communication via Zalo groups at various levels of the Women’s Union.
Local members focused on key and relevant topics such as the Party’s guidelines, the State’s policies and laws, and the movement “All People Participate in Protecting Territorial Sovereignty and National Border Security in the New Situation.” Communication efforts also raised awareness and provided essential knowledge and skills to address pressing social issues affecting women in these regions. In particular, in areas facing challenges such as human trafficking, domestic violence, abuse of women and children, child and incestuous marriage, illiteracy, drug abuse, and illegal religious proselytizing, Union members intensified outreach activities.
Special models promoting women’s role in border protection were implemented in provinces such as Cao Bang, Ha Tinh, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Binh Phuoc, and Dong Thap.
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Women in Phu Gia commune, Huong Khe district, Ha Tinh province receiving cows |
Of special note, the Women’s Union organizations in 24 border provinces signed cooperation agreements with localities in Cambodia, Laos, and China. As a result, 207 twinned border residential clusters were established. These Unions also organized cultural exchanges, cross-border visits, public outreach, gift-giving activities, and livelihood support for disadvantaged women and children. These efforts strengthened solidarity and friendship between neighboring countries, helped build a firm “people’s heart posture,” and enabled women’s participation in safeguarding border sovereignty and security in today’s context.
Pro-actively supporting women with sustainable livelihoods
During the 2021–2025 period, the program promoted sustainable livelihoods under the motto “Give the fishing rod, not the fish.” Women actively joined mutual support groups, confidently launched startups, and enthusiastically embraced the movement “Women help each other develop the economy.” Women’s Union members in border communes maintained and improved livelihood models to raise incomes and empower women economically, thereby contributing effectively to national poverty reduction goals.
Over five years, resources mobilized for the program exceeded VND 294 billion, surpassing all seven established targets. These targets included communication, model development, cultural enrichment, livelihood support, social welfare, organizational development, member recruitment, equipment provision, and capacity building for grassroots Union officers.
The program also promoted social welfare activities such as building “Compassionate Houses,” community facilities, organizing gratitude programs, distributing gifts and scholarships, and providing free medical checkups and treatment.
Specifically, 1,390 community facilities and 834 houses were built; over 186,400 gift packages and 12,200 scholarships were distributed to women and students in difficult circumstances who excelled academically. Medical services reached nearly 130,000 people. These efforts significantly improved the material and spiritual lives of women, children, and ethnic minorities in border areas, making a tangible contribution to national programs for building new-style rural areas.
With a strong determination to build resilient border areas, in recent years, border guard units have partnered with provincial and city Women’s Unions to play a stronger advisory role in local socio-economic development. These partnerships have enhanced the quality of life for border residents, especially poor women, through practical and effective initiatives.
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The Border Guard Command and the Women's Union Organization of An Giang province present livelihood models to needy women in Phu Hoi commune, An Phu district, An Giang province. |
At the conference, Deputy Political Commissar of the Border Guard Command, Major General Van Ngoc Que, affirmed that the “Accompanying Women in Border Areas” program has achieved remarkable outcomes. It has generated widespread impact and received high praise from Party and State leaders, central authorities, local governments, and the public. He emphasized that joint efforts to support difficult border areas, especially for women, will continue into the next phase, jointly led by the Border Guard Command and the Vietnam Women’s Union.
Over the past five years, the program has developed 1,022 livelihood models; supported 19,154 women in accessing loans; and organized 670 vocational training courses and job referrals for over 21,900 members. Women’s Unions in border communes have maintained and expanded mutual support groups and livelihood models, enabling members to increase income and gain economic independence, while bolstering poverty reduction efforts under national programs.
Translated by Chung Anh