Vietnam Women’s Academy holds a final evaluation workshop for Project 8 in Dong Nai

On the afternoon of September 22, the Dong Nai Provincial Women’s Union, in collaboration with the Vietnam Women’s Academy, hosted a midterm evaluation workshop for Project 8. The event also focused on integrating gender perspectives into Phase I (2021–2025) of the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas.

Nguyen Hoang Anh, Deputy Director of the Women’s Research Institute under the Vietnam Women’s Academy, outlines the workshop’s agenda. Photo: Nga Son

Le Thi Thanh Loan, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Nai Province, and President of the Dong Nai Women’s Union, attended the workshop alongside Nguyen Hoang Anh, Deputy President of the Institute for Women’s Studies under the Vietnam Women’s Academy.

Project 8, “Promoting Gender Equality and Addressing Urgent Issues for Women and Children,” is a component of the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the 2021–2030 period. To implement this program, the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee issued an implementation plan and assigned the Dong Nai Provincial Women's Union as the lead agency for Project 8 in the province. Based on this mandate, the Women's Union developed and issued both phased and annual action plans to ensure effective local implementation.

Le Thi Thanh Loan, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Nai Province, and President of the Dong Nai Women’s Union, delivers remarks at the workshop. Photo: Nga Son

Since 2021, the province has established and maintained the operations of 46 Community Communication Teams and held 8 capacity-building training sessions on gender mainstreaming for village officials and respected community members serving on these teams. The Women's Union has also sustained 5 communication models and organized contests and outreach events to promote gender equality, eliminate harmful customs, and foster civilized lifestyles within ethnic minority communities.

Nguyen Sy Cuong, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies - Dong Nai Branch, speaks at the event. Photo: Nga Son

The province has also developed and scaled up initiatives to transform mindsets and practices, enhance women’s economic empowerment, promote gender equality, and address pressing issues affecting women and children. These efforts have included establishing 10 Community Trusted Addresses (exceeding 183% of the target set for the 2021–2025 period). In addition, 18 “Leaders of Change Clubs” have been launched, and 24 policy dialogue sessions have been held between ethnic minority women and local Party committees and government authorities.

Alongside updates on the implementation of Project 8 during the 2021–2025 period by the Provincial Women’s Union, representatives from relevant departments, sectors, and mass organizations shared how they have integrated the project’s objectives into their professional mandates. They also highlighted key challenges and limitations faced during this period and offered recommendations to improve the effectiveness of Project 8 in the 2026–2030 phase.

Nguyen Thi Hong Nhung, Vice President of the Dong Nai Provincial Cooperative Alliance, addresses the workshop. Photo: Nga Son

On behalf of the delegation, Nguyen Hoang Anh, Deputy Director of the Women’s Research Institute under the Vietnam Women’s Academy, thanked the Provincial Women’s Union and representatives of departments and mass organizations for their close coordination and valuable contributions to Project 8. Based on the discussions at this event, the Vietnam Women’s Academy will compile recommendations for relevant authorities to make appropriate adjustments during the 2026–2030 period.

By Nga Son - Translated by Tam Binh, Minho