Keeping poor girls in school will close the gender educational gap in Vietnam and strengthen families and improve community life. Women's Empowerment and Voice (WEAV) has been awarding primary, secondary, and university scholarships to needy and motivated girls and women in the Mekong Delta and Greater Saigon since 2012. WEAV has a vast network of universities and schools;their demand for scholarships are increasing by 10% annually. WEAV works with ethnic minority communities in the delta!
Why educate girls in Vietnam? Vietnam does not fully fund primary and secondary education and government resources for college tuition are limited. It is difficult for the poor families to pay tuition for each of their children. Consequently, boys tend to be educated beyond the primary level. School tuition costs have risen substantially and many families cannot keep their girl children in primary school. Keeping girls in elementary school maximizes their opportunities for more education.
Our primary secondary school scholarships and mentoring programs assist poor Vietnamese and ethnic minority girls to achieve the highest levels of education possible. Ethnic minority Khmer and Lao girls are found in their highest numbers in the Mekong Delta and WEAV works extensively with these groups especially at all levels of education. We work closely with officials at Dong Thap University and Tra Vinh University to award scholarships to ethnic minority girls.
This project will serve over 250 girls and ensure that they receive access to 12 years of education, i.e., universal access that does not exist in Vietnam. Educated girls make better choices about marriage, child-bearing, and family life.. An educated wife influences families to lead healthier and longer lives, and educates their daughters to complete higher levels of education. World Bank declares that educating girls is the best investment in developing nation.
This project has provided additional documentation in a DOCX file (projdoc.docx).
