Vietnam Business Forum reporter discussed with Ms Truong Thi Anh, Chairperson of Ho Chi Minh City Women Union on activities to promote activities in the interests of women.
Will you please, tell us the contribution of HCMC Women Union for the development of women in recent years ?
With greatest efforts, HCMC Women Union in recent years have encouraged women of all social strata to combine the movement “Study and work creatively to build family happiness” with the campaign “Learning the exemplary ethics of President Ho Chi Minh”. Through main programmes of the Union, women have made important contribution to the development of the city.
In economic field, women make up 54.1 percent of the workforce including 46 percent in textile, footwear and handicraft industries, contributing to the industrial value amounting to 49.4 percent of the city GDP, or 30 percent of industrial value of Vietnam. While 34.7 percent of women workers engaged in agriculture-forestry-fisheries increasing the income, living conditions and prosperity of the suburbs. Through Women Union of all levels, VND124 billion for women economic development programme have helped women reduce poverty and get rich.
In cultural and social fields, women amount to 75.8 percent of the workforce with over 64 percent in health sector. They are important to the development of education, human resources, health and life expectancy equal or higher than some other countries in the region.
The Women Union has organized successfully activities for social welfare such as building model of families with “well being, equality, progressiveness and happiness” and saying “No” to drug. In conjunction with other mass organizations, the Union organized annually various activities to promote and honour the role of women in the society.
In political and social activities, women activists continue to develop in quantity and quality. Women participate in all levels of People’s Councils and Committees, taking direct part in the State management and contributing to the development of social welfare and family happiness.
What is the plan of the Union in 2010 to develop further the role of women?
In 2010, the Union will focus on four activities namely commemorating national festivities, 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, 80th anniversary of Vietnam Women’s Union and honouring exemplary women.
Together with the people of Ho Chi Minh City, the Union will make joint efforts to contribute to the industrialization and modernization of Vietnam. In spite of difficulties including gender barrier, women of the city will develop their creativeness in the dynamic Ho Chi Minh city
By 2020, the Union together with concerned authorities will increase women’s standards in all fields, education and expertise, to meet the demand of industrialization, modernization and international integration, build Ho Chi Minh City into a modern and civilized city where women can have stable jobs and better living conditions, materially, spiritually and culturally and contribute more to the society and families.
How to achieve those objectives?
The first and important task is to increase the awareness and capacity of women to meet the demand of the new era. The Union must make women fully aware of the Party’s resolutions, State laws and policies and assist them in economic activities to ensure a better living conditions. The Union will launch programmes of “New model of entrepreneurs”, industries of culture, markets of civilization and encourage women doing and promoting business.
In conjunction with other related organizations, the Union will increase the awareness of women and the community on gender equality, marriage and family law and cultural value of Vietnamese family.
Taking pride in the heroic tradition of Vietnamese women, the Union will continue their contribution to the renovation of the country, the development of Ho Chi Minh City and the welfare of women.
Dai Ngoc
Vietnamese
