With the population of 90 million and accelerating pace of socio-economic development in Vietnam, the demand for job of women, especially female migrants from 18 to 30 is getting more difficult. Young and passionate, but they are lack of information, skills and experiences living and working in a bustling city like Hanoi.

Moreover, about 20,000 female migrants in Dong Anh district, Hanoi will lose their jobs at the Industrial Zone once they turn 30, without stability or security in their future. 'Empowering Female Migrant Youth to Succeed in the City and Workplace' (SAFE) project by Plan International Vietnam and local partners helps resolve this, by providing female migrants (age 18-30) with opportunities in vocational and life skill training, access to health care services, safety housing, decent work and entrepreneurship, in order to acquire a more secured life with stable jobs.

The project is funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with the implementation from December 2016 to June 2019.

Plan International Vietnam, along with the Institute for Development and Community Health (LIGHT), Dong Anh District Women’s Union and School of Economics and Engineering Bac Thang Long also has developed a mobile application called ‘Hanh trinh an toan’ (Safe journey), which belongs to the SAFE project. The application connects housing, job opportunities and other helpful information about life in the city for people working away from home, especially female migrants.

The project improves the spiritual life of female workers through Zumba dance classes, regular activities of the Pioneer Leadership group or self-defense martial arts classes.

Accordingly, communication and dialogue activities have also helped the authorities and people in Dong Anh district change their views on migrant workers. Working conditions for workers improved. Inclusive living environment is gradually being formed. Hundreds of local businesses have signed commitments to implement gender equality and applied the Gender Equality Implementation Standard developed by the project. The criteria of safe inns are used annually to assess and certify qualified hostels.

Specifically, the SAFE project achieved outstanding results: 10,619 female migrant workers were consulted for career guidance; 866,455 people interact and access project information through the project's Facebook page and other communication activities.

Nearly 700 female migrant workers participated in vocational training courses of which 579 graduated. In particular, 414/699 female workers have changed jobs after participating in vocational training courses.

In addition, 201 businesses participate in the business network and are committed to providing stable jobs for female migrant workers.

The one-day event also shared remarkable results of the project through activities that not only connect but also strengthen the bond between female youth migrants, their families and the entire communities.

This is a step among 90 key events of Plan International Vietnam's 247 Journey for Girls Get Equal./.

VNF