Through PACE, CARE works to develop skills for migrant women in the informal economy in urban areas by strengthening their collective voice and access to greater economic opportunities, so that they can advocate for their needs and interests. 

Background 

Many women in Vietnam migrate to find better ways to make a living. However, they often live and work in unsafe environments, working in industries such as street vending, garment factories, domestic work, waste collecting, or in bars, restaurants, or entertainment venues. Living far from home, they lose family- and community-based support networks and often become invisible to the authorities. As a result, they have limited access to protection, services, and opportunities.

Objective of PACE

Through P.A.C.E. in the Community, CARE works with the local organization LIGHT to enable migrant women in urban areas to develop the skills to advocate for their needs and interests and support them to access improved economic opportunities.

  • Migrant women in urban areas develop personal skills, such as communication, decision-making, and time management, which aim to enable them to have increased control over decisions and factors that affect them.
  • Migrant women in urban areas develop increased solidarity and a stronger collective voice, which they can use to advocate for their interests, such as when negotiating for improved working conditions.
  • Migrant urban women have improved access to economic opportunities, as they are referred to market-oriented vocational training, job placement services, and business development services provided by private companies, local NGOs, and government bodies in Vietnam.

How does PACE work?

PACE in the Community is a pilot project designed to explore a new method for empowering migrant women in urban areas to strengthen their collective voice and access to greater economic opportunities.

Participants of PACE

230
migrant women in urban areas, working in the informal sector
30
peer educators		 200
training participants

Location

 Thanh Xuan Nam commune in Thanh Xuan district; Chuong Duong and Phuc Tan communes in Hoan Kiem district.

Time

9/2015 – 10/2016

Donor

PACE - GAP