Programme empowers women in remote border areas and strengthens people based national defence

Acts of kindness transform lives

In recent years, the Women’s Union of the Quang Tri Provincial Military Command has actively implemented the programme in border communes across the province. Efforts have focused on supporting members to develop household economies, improve living standards, build happy families, and engage in environmental protection.

Innovative measures have raised awareness among ethnic minority women, encouraging them to stabilise their lives and strengthen their economic independence.

Ho Thi Hua, a beneficiary in Ta Rut commune, Quang Tri province, shared that thanks to the programme her family received financial support to raise buffaloes and cows and plant banana trees, improving their livelihood. “I am always grateful,” she said.

Captain Pham Thi Thu Hien, Chairwoman of the Women’s Union of the Quang Tri Provincial Military Command, noted that over the past five years they have mobilised funds to provide more than 7,300 essential gift packages, 36 tonnes of rice, 253 bicycles, 260 breeding cows and goats, 8,000 chickens, and support for 20 disadvantaged pupils. To date, total funding has reached around 2.6 billion VND.

An Giang Provincial Military Command is another notable example of effective implementation. Officers and soldiers have launched SMS campaigns to support livelihood models for border women, organised communication events on gender equality and the prevention of child marriage, and provided free literacy classes.

They have encouraged parents to enrol children at the right age, distributed clothes, books and notebooks, and established study promotion funds for poor pupils.

Thousands of working days have been contributed to building and repairing social houses, while women have been guided in production, animal husbandry and cultivation techniques to develop sustainable livelihoods and escape poverty.

These activities have strengthened the bond between the army and the people, reflecting the responsibility and compassion of the armed forces towards women in border areas.

Humanitarian values along the border

The ‘Accompanying Women in Border Areas’ programme has enhanced knowledge, skills and responsibility among women in safeguarding national border sovereignty and security. The initiative is both a social welfare support mechanism and a means of consolidating the people–army bond in border regions.

Since 2021, more than 294 billion VND has been raised to support the programme. Funds have been used to improve spiritual life, livelihoods and social welfare for women in border areas; strengthen Women’s Union organisations; expand membership; provide equipment; and enhance the capacity of grassroots officials.

During 2021–2025, the programme has been integrated with sustainable livelihood activities, following the motto “teach them to fish rather than give them a fish”. This approach has helped women increase their income and improve poverty reduction outcomes.

Social welfare activities have included gift-giving, scholarships, free medical check-ups and treatment for disadvantaged women and children. Through these efforts, humanitarian and compassionate values have spread along the Fatherland’s border line.

The programme’s success stems from close coordination between the Viet Nam Women’s Union and the Border Guard High Command, alongside the enthusiastic participation of armed forces units.

When border women are supported to overcome difficulties, the transformation extends beyond individual households, becoming a vivid demonstration of national unity in building and defending the Fatherland.

In mountainous border villages and hamlets, where ethnic minority communities face hardship, women quietly shoulder the responsibility of preserving cultural identity and improving family welfare.

Through its wide-ranging activities, the Accompanying Women in Border Areas programme has consolidated the great national unity bloc, enhanced material and spiritual life in residential areas, and strengthened people-based national defence — a cornerstone of safeguarding national sovereignty and borders.