Since the beginning of this year, the Provincial People’s Committee has issued two plans, one program, and two directives on child affairs and the prevention of child abuse; launched Action Month for Children with a focus on online abuse prevention, child labor prevention, and child rights protection. These efforts have created widespread impact, helping thousands of parents, students, and grassroots officials access information and improve child protection skills. Communication activities have been strengthened at the community level, focusing on disseminating policies and laws on child care and protection; preventing crimes of child abuse and crimes related to minors; and raising awareness about preventing abuse, accidents, drowning, child labor, and online risks.

The Department of Health has organized two training courses to enhance the capacity of commune-level child protection officers in preventing accidents, abuse, and “online kidnapping.” With support from UNICEF, World Vision, and Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, the province held training workshops, equipping 80 grassroots officers with counseling skills and child protection management. The Department of Health regularly updates data on child abuse, accidents, and dropouts to coordinate with the Provincial Police and the Department of Education and Training for timely interventions. Models such as the “Reliable Address - Shelter House” in Thanh Yên commune and the “Sunshine House” in Điện Biên Phủ ward continue to provide emergency protection for women and children facing abuse and violence, offering them a safe refuge before authorities step in.

Despite positive outcomes, child protection still faces many challenges. Public awareness of the law remains limited, especially in remote areas; many parents fail to pay adequate attention to their children. Some child abuse cases remain hidden and unreported, complicating investigations. Many children lack life skills, cannot recognize risks, or dare not speak up even when they do. Meanwhile, grassroots child protection officers often hold concurrent positions and rotate frequently, limiting effectiveness. The social environment still contains harmful factors such as violent games, toxic media, alcohol, and drugs, which can lead to violent and abusive behaviors against children.

Nguyễn Châu Sơn, Head of the Population - Children Division under the Department of Health said: “The health sector, together with relevant agencies, will continue focusing on direct communication at communities, schools, and families, while strengthening intersectoral cooperation to strictly handle child abuse cases. Another important task is to improve the capacity of grassroots officers, who are the closest and most capable of detecting risks involving children at an early stage.”

In the coming time, Điện Biên aims to maintain and expand the “Reliable Address - Shelter House” model, intensify communication campaigns in response to World Day Against Child Labour (June 12) and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls (November 25). More training courses will be organized for commune and ward-level child protection staff. Communication efforts to prevent child abuse and accidents will be diversified. Protecting children requires not only the efforts of authorities but also the collective responsibility of society. When families show more care, schools take a more proactive role, and communities act more responsibly, the “shield” protecting children will truly become sustainable.