Notably, the Standing Board of the Điện Biên provincial Party Committee’s issuance of Resolution No.27 on child marriage and consanguineous marriage prevention for the 2026-2030 period clearly demonstrates high political determination, providing a synchronized and comprehensive orientation for this vital mission.

Reality in Điện Biên shows that despite achieving numerous positive results, child marriage remains highly complex, demanding stronger solutions. Over the past years, under the leadership of party committees and local authorities at all levels, public awareness regarding marriage and family has step-by-step improved, many backward practices have gradually been eradicated, and the political system’s involvement has become increasingly visible.

However, during the 2021-2025 period, the entire province still recorded 6,987 cases of child marriage, accounting for approximately 27.9% of the total number of married individuals, and consanguineous marriages still occurred. Although the rate tends to decrease, it remains unsustainable, with a high risk of recurrence, especially in remote, isolated, and border areas.

The causes of child marriage stem from multiple factors, including deeply ingrained backward customs and habits, limited legal awareness among a segment of the population, difficult socio-economic conditions, and non-synchronized information infrastructure. Furthermore, at some grassroots establishments, leadership and direction lack decisiveness, inspection and supervision remain limited, punitive sanctions are not deterrent enough, and the amendment of village charters and conventions has not been timely.

Resolution No.27 of the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee clearly points out that child marriage and consanguineous marriage prevention is the responsibility of the entire political system, in which the party committee holds the leading role, the government holds the management and executive role, and the coordination of sectors and mass organizations along with public consensus serve as the deciding factors. The highlight of the Resolution is the requirement to simultaneously deploy both “prevention” and “control” tasks, with “prevention” serving as the core, strategic, and long-term focus.

To realize the Resolution, the first step requires a powerful renovation of propaganda work. The content must be practical, easy to understand, and tailored to each ethnic group and region. Formats must be diverse and flexible, leveraging the roles of village elders, village heads, and prestigious individuals. Particularly, adolescents and youth must be identified as the core target group, fully equipped with knowledge regarding the law, reproductive health, life skills, and future orientation.

Along with that, it is necessary to elevate the validity and efficiency of state management. All levels and sectors must concretize this through specific plans and action programs, enhance inspection and supervision, and strictly handle violations. The formulation and amendment of village charters and conventions at the grassroots must be tied to the requirement of eradicating backward customs while complying with legal regulations.

A fundamental solution lies in investing in the socio-economic development of ethnic minority areas. Resources should be prioritized for investing in essential infrastructure such as transport, electricity, water, schools, medical stations, and information infrastructure. When living standards improve, residents will have the conditions to access knowledge and alter their perceptions, thereby step-by-step eliminating backward practices regarding child marriage.

Education continues to serve as a vital “key.” It is essential to develop systems of ethnic boarding and semi-boarding schools, guaranteeing conditions for students to attend school and limiting early dropouts. Sex education, life skills, and career counseling for students should be pushed forward. When children possess knowledge and a clear future, child marriage will no longer be an option.

Resolution No.27 sets out clear, specific targets, aiming to reduce the child marriage rate by an average of 5-6% annually and basically ending the state of consanguineous marriage by 2030. Furthermore, the plan dictates that 100% of grassroots cadres must receive training, 100% of students must be reached with targeted propaganda, and 100% of households must sign commitments to implement the law on marriage and family. These targets are both challenging and highly feasible if deployed seriously and synchronously.

Preventing and controlling child marriage is not merely about eradicating a backward custom, but also about protecting human rights and children’s rights, upgrading population quality, and creating a foundation for sustainable development. With the drastic involvement of the entire political system and public consensus, it is trusted that child marriage in ethnic minority areas will be step-by-step repelled, heading toward a sustainable, civilized, and progressive future.