At the provincial level, with 18 out of 50 elected delegates, female delegates to the provincial People’s Council for the 2026-2031 tenure account for 36%; female delegates to commune-level People’s Councils represent 33.66%.

With ethnic minorities comprising over 80% of its population, Điện Biên province previously encountered numerous difficulties in advancing gender equality due to the influence of backward customs and practices. Identifying gender equality as one of the vital drivers of socioeconomic development, the province has deployed a synchronized array of concrete solutions. Thanks to the effective integration of national target programs with livelihood support policies and public intellectual development, community awareness has seen marked shifts; the gender gap is gradually narrowing, unlocking comprehensive development opportunities for women and young girls.

Realities across numerous highland localities indicate that gender bias and outdated practices - such as child marriage, consanguineous marriage, and patriarchal preferences for sons over daughters - were once major barriers holding back the progress of women and girls. Education for young girls was often neglected, and dropping out of school early to marry or join the workforce was relatively widespread. Decision-making authority over major household and social matters rested predominantly with men.

To dismantle barriers to gender equality, Điện Biên province determined that transforming awareness at the grassroots level serves as the breakthrough step. Project 8, “Promoting gender equality and resolving urgent issues for women and children,” under the National Target Program for Socioeconomic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the 2021-2030 period, has rolled out a series of direct initiatives reaching villages and individual households.

Communication methods have been renewed toward persistence and substantive impact, avoiding formality. The entire province maintains 540 community communication teams with nearly 4,800 members, 50 “Trusted Address” models, and 96 “Leaders of Change” clubs. In addition, implementing Scheme 938, “Dissemination, education, mobilization, and support for women to participate in resolving social issues related to women in the 2017-2027 period,” the province has established and maintained nearly 240 support models. These models flexibly leverage native languages, local customs, and the influence of grassroots core figures.

Huổi Ho village (Mường Pồn commune) is home to 44 Hmông households. Established in 2022 with the participation of the Party cell secretary, village head, and reputable elders, the community communication team went door to door, using their native language to explain the adverse consequences of child marriage and the importance of education. Pioneering efforts by men in sharing household chores and respecting women’s voices have generated positive impacts. Currently, Huổi Ho village has completely eliminated child marriage, and 100% of school-age girls attend school. Shifts in parental mindsets have directly cleared the educational path for ethnic minority female students. Many not only finish general education but also prove their abilities through provincial academic excellence competitions and high school graduation exams.

Thào Thị Giàng, born into a purely farming family in Sính Phình commune, is an exemplary case of transforming perceptions regarding educational opportunities for highland girls. Supported by her family and community, Giàng worked diligently, achieved notable results, and pursued her dreams through the acquisition of knowledge. She won Third Prize in Geography at the provincial academic excellence competition for two consecutive years. In the recent National High School Graduation Exam, Giàng attained a score of 25.5 points and registered her aspiration for the Chinese Language major at the University of Languages and International Studies - Vietnam National University, Hà Nội.

Evaluating gender equality work across the province, Lê Đình Tuyên, Deputy Director of the Department of Home Affairs and Director of the Project “Supporting capacity building in preventing and responding to violence against women and children, contributing to promoting gender equality in Điện Biên province,” affirmed: “Over the past period, gender equality and the advancement of women have consistently received close leadership from the provincial Party Committee, provincial People’s Council, and provincial People’s Committee.

Narrowing the gender gap has gone beyond grassroots communication and livelihood support to become elevated into a strategic pillar in cadre work. The proportion of women participating in Party committees, serving as delegates to People’s Councils at all levels, and holding leadership and managerial positions across agencies, units, and localities in the province has steadily increased over tenures. This stands as clear proof of equal development opportunities, affirming the competence and vital contributions of women to the overall development of the province.”