Pacific Links Foundation (PLF) is a grassroots organization that empowers girls and women in rural Vietnam. For more than 20 years, PLF has been working to end cycles of poverty, inequality, and human trafficking. To date, the organization has supported more than 450,000 women and girls from underserved backgrounds, providing them tools to create brighter, safer futures for themselves and their communities.
In rural areas of Vietnam, girls face many challenges that often prevent them from completing their education. For example, in the Mekong Delta—one of Vietnam’s poorest regions—girls are often pressured to leave school due to financial hardships, deep-seated gender norms, and limited local opportunities. As a result, girls from these communities are disproportionately targeted by human traffickers using misinformation and false promises. Now, traffickers are deploying emerging technologies like artificial intelligence to expand their reach, fueling a global industry of abuse that generates $236 billion annually from forced labor and sexual exploitation.
With support from the Girls Opportunity Alliance Fund, PLF will implement a scholarship program to directly address these challenges. The Girls Empowerment Mekong Scholarships (GEMS) project will provide long-term educational support to girls between the ages of 14 and 19 who are living in the Mekong Delta. Through GEMS, PLF will cover the costs of school fees, uniforms, and supplies, while also offering mentorship, digital literacy, and career exploration programs. Additionally, the organization will host a four-day virtual summer camp, connecting girls with role models who will help build confidence and encourage girls to pursue their dreams.
PLF expects to reach 100 girls who are at a risk for leaving school, as well as 100 parents and 30 educators. The organization seeks to mobilize support systems to empower girls, build their resilience, and provide essential knowledge so they can identify human trafficking risks. As an end goal, PLF hopes to create a future wherein girls can thrive as leaders and changemakers, contributing to brighter, more prosperous communities.
To learn more about PLF, please visit the organization’s website and social media pages:
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