However, gender inequality remains one of the primary drivers of gender-based violence, generating numerous adverse repercussions in social life. Confronting this reality, right from early 2026, the provincial People’s Committee of Điện Biên, specialized agencies, and socio-political organizations have proactively stepped up communication activities to elevate gender equality awareness across the political system and the broader community.

In 2024, the entire country recorded 2,329 domestic violence cases, of which 2,011 perpetrators were male. In 2025, domestic violence incidents declined to 2,074 cases, with 1,775 male perpetrators. Female victims accounted for over 85% of total domestic violence cases.

In Điện Biên province, 33 domestic violence cases occurred in 2024, while 64 cases were uncovered in 2025. From the beginning of 2026 to date, agencies and socio-political organizations across the province have received and supported 46 cases of domestic violence; among these, 75% of victims were women, 16% were children, and 92% of perpetrators were men. These figures represent only uncovered and tabulated cases; in reality, unreported incidents or cases unable to reach functional agencies may still persist.

According to research findings on gender equality in Việt Nam conducted by Việt Nam Academy of Social Sciences from 2020 to 2025, gender inequality issues reveal that: during the day, women perform twice as many unpaid domestic labor hours as men; women still face numerous barriers when accessing high-income jobs and advancement opportunities. The perception of men as household breadwinners persists, entrenching rigid gender stereotypes. On that basis, the Academy recommended support policies to eliminate gender inequality, including: accelerating communications to raise gender equality awareness across state management bodies, contributing to perfecting policies and laws, and stepping up the prevention and combat of gender-based violence in Việt Nam.

In Điện Biên province, from early 2026 to date, numerous practical activities have been rolled out to rally the entire political system’s involvement in achieving gender equality and preventing gender-based violence. In June 2026, the provincial People’s Committee of Điện Biên issued a call urging agencies, organizations, and citizens to join hands in building violence-free families. The focal mission is not merely handling emerging cases, but addressing the root cause: perceptions of gender inequality. Concurrently, community-based communications, awareness-raising, and support for violence survivors have been identified as priorities requiring continued acceleration.

The Điện Biên Provincial Women’s Union is one of the socio-political organizations actively engaged in advancing gender equality and preventing and curbing gender-based violence. Since the beginning of the year, the Union has coordinated the organization of more than 30 training classes on gender-based violence prevention for diverse target groups across numerous communes and wards throughout the province. Through these classes, communities are equipped with knowledge and skills to counter gender-based violence.

Pờ Diệu Ninh, President of the Điện Biên provincial Women’s Union, stated: “In 2026, alongside community training activities, the Union has coordinated with communes and wards across the province to maintain and maximize the efficiency of 100 domestic violence prevention and control models, 613 sustainable family development clubs, 698 domestic violence prevention groups, and 806 community-based reliable addresses. The Union maintains close coordination with the Điện Biên provincial Community Development Center to assist women and girls experiencing violence through the one-stop service model at the Sunshine House Điện Biên.”

During 2026, the Điện Biên provincial Department of Home Affairs rolled out the project “Supporting capacity building in preventing and responding to violence against women and children, contributing to promoting gender equality in Điện Biên province,” funded by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women). The project focuses on training to elevate capacity for cadres, civil servants, and public employees participating in gender equality affairs.

Concurrently, it deploys training programs for individuals providing community-level assistance to women and girls experiencing violence. The project aims to improve the efficiency of preventing, detecting, and responding to gender-based violence, especially violence against women and girls. From mid-September to date, the project has organized 20 communication classes across various communes and wards in the province.

Lê Đình Tuyên, Deputy Director of the Điện Biên provincial Department of Home Affairs, noted: “As the advisory and state management agency on gender equality, and concurrently the standing body of the provincial Board for the Advancement of Women, the Department of Home Affairs has coordinated with departments, sectors, socio-political organizations, and commune and ward People’s Committees to organize communication campaigns. Simultaneously, the Department has strengthened monitoring and impact evaluation of community-based models supporting the prevention and curbing of gender-based violence.”

Communications on gender equality have been accelerated, drawing broad participation from the entire political system and the community. On that basis, many women and girls enjoy greater opportunities to study, broaden their understanding, and take part in social activities. Policies supporting female economic development receive focused attention. Within households, women’s roles are increasingly affirmed through decision-making rights, expenditure management, economic contributions, and child rearing. In tandem, local governments, mass organizations, and functional agencies place high importance on receiving reports, assisting, and safeguarding individuals subject to gender-based violence.

Capitalizing on achieved outcomes, for the 2026-2030 period, Điện Biên province determines to continue strengthening the implementation of measures to prevent, control, and minimize gender-based violence, contributing to building a safe, equal living environment for women, children, and citizens across the province.