After years of implementation in Điện Biên province, the project has gradually become part of community life, generating positive impacts by helping build prosperous, progressive and happy families while enhancing women’s role and status in society.

Practical actions deliver tangible results

Soon after Project 938 was approved, the provincial People’s Committee promptly developed an implementation plan and directed departments, sectors and local authorities to carry out coordinated activities tailored to local conditions. As the project’s standing agency, the provincial Women’s Union proactively advised on policies, developed action plans and guided Women’s Union branches at all levels in organizing practical activities that respond to the needs of women members.

According to Pờ Diệu Ninh, Vice Chairwoman of the provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and President of the provincial Women’s Union, departments, agencies and local authorities have closely followed the provincial People’s Committee’s implementation plan as well as guidance from higher-level authorities, carrying out their responsibilities proactively and effectively. To date, all localities across the province have issued implementation plans for Project 938. Communication activities have been diversified and adapted to different target groups and local contexts. Women’s Union branches have demonstrated creativity in communication, supervision and social criticism, while coordination among agencies has become increasingly effective, enabling each sector to contribute its strengths to addressing social issues affecting women and children.

One of the project’s most notable achievements has been the development of practical community-based models tailored to local needs and conditions. The Standing Committee of the provincial Women’s Union has directed the continued operation of 142 existing community models while establishing 25 new initiatives promoting happy families and safe environments for women and children. Meanwhile, the “Godmother Program” has continued spreading its humanitarian values, with Women’s Union organizations at all levels mobilizing support for 273 orphaned children living in particularly difficult circumstances.

Inspired by Project 938, numerous community initiatives suited to local realities have been established, providing women with practical support while raising awareness and strengthening family well-being. Although each model adopts its own approach, all share the common goal of creating safer, more equal and more cohesive communities.

The “Happy family Club” in Nghịu village, Thanh Nưa commune, is one of the project’s most successful and sustainable models. Club members meet regularly, where married couples openly discuss everyday family matters and share life experiences. After eight years of operation, the club continues to maintain 14 participating couples while welcoming younger couples from the village, fostering intergenerational continuity in preserving family values and happiness.

Quàng Thị Xuyến, Head of the village Women’s Union chapter and a club member, said: “The club meets once a month to discuss practical topics such as parenting, family relationships, gender equality and domestic violence prevention. What is particularly encouraging is that participating couples actively engage in discussions and openly share the challenges they face in daily life so that everyone can work together to find solutions. As a result, many conflicts are resolved at the community level, helping families become closer and happier.”

Bringing knowledge closer to women

To ensure the project’s long-term effectiveness, strengthening the capacity of Women’s Union officials, trainers and grassroots communicators has remained a top priority.

During the implementation period, the provincial Women’s Union alone has organized more than 300 training courses for approximately 15,000 Women’s Union officials, trainers and core communicators, focusing on communication skills, community mobilization, addressing social issues, preventing gender-based violence and protecting children. The province has also established a network of 33 provincial-level trainers and 1,844 grassroots communicators, who now serve as an important bridge connecting government policies with local communities.

In addition, 105 training courses and communication events have attracted 204,981 women participants, covering topics such as gender equality, food safety, healthcare, family-building skills and the prevention of social problems.

Thanks to the extensive grassroots communication network reaching even remote villages, topics once considered difficult or technical have become much more accessible through real-life stories, face-to-face discussions and communication delivered in languages appropriate to each target group.

Recently, the Women’s Union of Sam Mứn commune, in collaboration with the commune police and the Tây Trang International Border Gate Border Post, organized a community awareness event on combating human trafficking, drug prevention and prostitution prevention for members of the Na Hai village Women’s Union chapter, attracting 50 participants.

According to Vũ Thị Minh Tiến, President of the Women’s Union of Sam Mứn commune, “We select communication topics that are most relevant to the conditions of each village, particularly those located along the border. Information is delivered in both Vietnamese and local ethnic minority languages so that women and community members can easily understand it. In addition to group meetings, Women’s Union officials also visit small groups of women to answer questions and discuss issues that concern local residents. As a result, awareness of human trafficking prevention, drug and prostitution prevention, domestic violence prevention and child protection has steadily improved among women and local communities.”

Experience in Điện Biên demonstrates that the greatest achievement of Project 938 lies in the transformation of awareness and behavior among women and families. Equipped with knowledge, practical skills and continuous support, women have become key contributors to family well-being, community harmony and the development of safer, more civilized communities.

With the coordinated efforts of the entire political system and the proactive, innovative spirit of Women’s Union organizations at all levels, Project 938 continues to spread positive values throughout the province, providing a solid foundation for effectively addressing social issues affecting women and children while making a meaningful contribution to Điện Biên’s sustainable development.