BAT Vietnam - Women’s Empowerment program 2023 recap event

On March 15, 2024, BAT Vietnam and the Women's Union of Duc Hue district, Long An province held a recap event for the “Women’s Empowerment” program in 2023. This is an activity that BAT Vietnam accompanies and facilitates underprivileged women to develop their family economy and improve their lives.

Through the program, BAT Vietnam has supported interest-free loans for 40 women from underprivileged households who are in need of financial support to maintain and develop livestock farming and small family business. This helps those households stabilize their lives, escape poverty, avoid illegal and dangerous jobs that affect their safety.

According to Duc Hue District Women's Union, after 2 years of implementation, the program has achieved positive results. Among the 40 households receiving loans, there are 11 ones doing small business, 2 providing food and beverage service, and 27 raising livestock and poultry.

In addition to supporting free-interest loans to encourage local women to do legitimate business, the Women's Union also coordinated with the Police, Border Guard Station of My Thanh Tay Commune and Border Guard Station of My Quy Dong Commune to organize propaganda campaigns to raise people’s awareness of preventing and combating illegal cross-border cigarette trading and social vices. As a result, in 2023, the Association organized 54 trainings with 1,350 attendees.

In addition, the Women's Union also collaborated with Agricultural Extension Officers to organize the transfer of science and technology on crops and livestock to those households and cooperative groups, resulting in 30 trainings with 539 participants.

In addition, the Association also encouraged those 40 households not to participate in trading, or storing smuggled cigarettes and not to assist those participating in these illegal activities in any form.