In implementing the action programme for children in Da Nang from 2021 to 2030, local authorities and community organisations citywide have stepped up efforts to care for and protect children, creating opportunities for their holistic development. This contributes to the city’s goal of building a safe and child-friendly environment.

Children’s care is regularly prioritised by families, schools, and various organisations. In the image: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival 2023, organised by Da Nang Newspaper. Photo: GIA PHUC

Caring for vulnerable children

Thanh Khe District currently has over 49,000 children under 16 years old, accounting for 20.55% of the population. Among them, 1% are children in special circumstances, including orphans who have lost both parents, children with disabilities, children suffering from serious illnesses, and those from poor or near-poor families.

Each year, the district's authorities and various organisations implement child protection, care, and education programmes. They actively mobilise resources to support children, improve welfare facilities for them, and enhance living conditions and opportunities for comprehensive and equal development. Alongside this, they carry out preventive activities, provide timely support and intervention for child protection, and strengthen inspections to detect and strictly handle child abuse cases.

Son Tra District is home to nearly 40,000 children, with 453 in special circumstances and nearly 4,000 at risk, including those from poor or near-poor families or who have lost one parent.

Mr. Huynh Van Hung, Deputy Chairman of the Son Tra District People's Committee, noted that the district has set up eight psychological consultation teams for students in junior high schools. These teams provide information on the National Child Protection Hotline 111 and the city’s Hotline 1022, ensuring that students, teachers, staff, and parents can easily access support or report child abuse. The district’s Women’s Union has established "reliable shelters" for women and children in need, and they also coordinate efforts to handle cases of child abuse, abandonment, and provide support for 150 orphans. In 2023, a total of 1,410 students in the district received support for school expenses, while 1,198 were granted tuition fee exemptions or reductions, totalling more than VND 2.85 billion.

Due to the effective implementation of health care programmes, 100% of children in special circumstances in the district receive care through various initiatives. The total investment for child welfare in 2023 exceeded VND 9.5 billion.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, Deputy Director of the Department of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs, June is annually designated as the "Action Month for Children", during which various meaningful activities are held from the city to grassroots levels. In 2024, this month saw local authorities and organisations intensify efforts to care for children, especially those in difficult circumstances. Nearly 55,550 gifts, over 4,900 scholarships, and free medical care for 11,850 children were provided, totalling more than VND 12.9 billion.

Children participate in the dialogue programme between city leaders and children in 2024. Photo: XUAN DUNG

Listening to children’s voices

Article 78 of the Law on Children mandates ensuring children’s participation in matters that concern them. It states that each year, local councils are responsible for organising meetings and dialogues with children to hear their concerns and aspirations. In line with this, Da Nang city leaders and local authorities hold annual meetings and direct dialogues with children to listen to their voices.

At the 2024 dialogue organised by the People's Council and People's Committee of Da Nang, children expressed their thoughts and concerns. Le Phuong Tu, a student at Tay Son Junior High School in Hai Chau District, while appreciating the city's efforts to build new cultural facilities for children, pointed out that playgrounds remain limited, especially in remote areas such as Hoa Vang District, Lien Chieu District, and Ngu Hanh Son District. Tu hoped that the city would continue investing in diverse playgrounds and cultural facilities for children, enabling them to improve their quality of life.

Le Nguyen Anh Thu, a student at Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Junior High School in Hai Chau District, raised concerns about the behaviour of some students and suggested that authorities organise more activities to promote ethics and enhance the culture of behaviour in schools.

Meanwhile, Truong Ngoc Tram, a student at Hoa Lien Primary School No. 2 in Hoa Vang District, proposed the city create an application for children that provides information about the Law on Children, playgrounds for children, and a platform for mental health counselling. This would offer children a safe online environment.

Children also highlighted several pressing issues such as e-cigarettes, school violence, child labour, and the need for better protection of children in the digital space. They expressed their hopes for effective solutions from local authorities to ensure a safe and healthy living environment for all children.

According to Mr. Nguyen Dang Hoang, Director of the Department of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs, the city would study the children’s feasible suggestions and work towards formulating policies and action plans that contribute to the care and protection of children, creating favourable conditions for their comprehensive development.

Reporting by LAM PHUONG - Translating by TRUC VY