Seminar looks into development in ethnic minority groups

Speaking at the event, Irish Ambassador to Vietnam Cait Moran said Vietnam has made socio-economic and gender equality progress over the past two decades, but challenges remain. 

Dinh Thi Tu, head of the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs’ Department of Ethnic Minorities, said the rate of poor ethnic minority households was 23.1% in 2015, four times above the national average. In particular, 14 ethnic minority groups had at least 41% poor households while three others posted more than 70%, including La Hu (83.9%), Mang (79.5%) and Chut (75.3%). 

Nearly 24,000 women were illiterate in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang as of April 30, 2015. In 2014 alone, 10 out of 53 ethnic minority groups saw high rates of early marriage, amounting to 45%. In six ethnic minority groups, the rate was over 50%, namely Brau, Ro Mam, La ha, Xinh Mun, O du and Mong. 

On personnel work, among the total number of officials and civil cadres working in the central, provincial, district and communal level, ethnic minority people only accounted for 7.51% as of April 30, 2015, reported the Ministry of Home Affairs. 

Head of the UN Women Office Elisa Fernandez said Vietnamese government agencies, including the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs, should strengthen resources and take creative measures to identify the socio-economic situation in ethnic minority groups.