"In the past, everything was considered trash..."
Located not far from the center of Dak Lak province, Cu M'gar commune is a unique area. The commune, recently formed by the merger of three communes – Ea Kpam, Cu M'gar, and Ea H'ding – boasts high diversity, with 50% of its population being ethnic minorities, comprising 17 different ethnic groups living together. This unique characteristic presents numerous challenges regarding environmental issues in Cu M'gar, particularly in raising public awareness about household waste sorting.
Ms. Tran Thi Thu Thuy, Head of the Women's Association of An Phu village, Cu M'gar commune, recounted: "Before Unilever Vietnam and the Vietnam Women's Union came to support us, although we had established teams to collect and process waste regularly, everything was still done manually, and sorting was almost non-existent. Everything was classified as waste. Organic waste and hazardous waste were just thrown together into the environment."
The difficulty lies not only in habit but also in a hesitant mindset. Ms. Thuy admitted that initially, many female members were very reluctant when they heard about collecting and sorting waste. However, practical support from Unilever Vietnam and the Vietnam Women's Union in terms of funding for building "Waste Sorting Houses" and communication training sessions helped change the awareness of the women.
Ms. Tran Thi Thu Thuy delivered a speech at the Conference to Review the Implementation of the Cooperation Agreement between the Vietnam Women's Union and Unilever Vietnam for the period 2022 - 2025.
When waste becomes a livelihood
Leading reporters on a tour of the "Waste Sorting House" model, Ms. Thuy enthusiastically explained how the women here "transform" waste. Each type of waste is meticulously sorted: Organic waste is composted with microorganisms into green fertilizer to nourish fruit trees, helping people reduce the burden of fertilizer; while empty cans, cardboard boxes, etc., are collected and carefully preserved, waiting for the day they can be "reborn" into a charitable fund.
Achieving this shift in mindset has been a persistent journey. With financial support, training, and communication from Unilever Vietnam, the Women's Association of the commune has organized hundreds of awareness campaigns for tens of thousands of members. Leaflets and communication materials reached every household; the loudspeakers blared every morning; social media posts, competitions, and branch meetings gradually awakened environmental awareness in the hearts of the people in the highlands.
One innovative approach that Ms. Thuy and her colleagues have implemented is to "monitor" local wedding and housewarming parties to "collect" trash: "We contact the hosts directly to collect the waste after the party. The women here are very enthusiastic! Because we are helping to ensure the cleanliness of the neighborhood, sorting waste at the source, and we can also sell the waste to create funds for community work. New habits, awareness, and thinking about environmental protection are formed from this."
Women in Cu M'gar commune enthusiastically collect garbage.
Starting from an initial pilot model funded and resourced by Unilever Vietnam, within just half a year of implementation, the model has been expanded to 6 in Cu M'gar commune, generating a total revenue of over 30 million VND. 26 self-managed, spotless roads, 35 vibrant flower-lined streets, and 26 "Green, Clean, and Beautiful Family" models are brightening the appearance of Cu M'gar.
Even more valuable, Ms. Thuy and the other members have entrusted those funds to the "Godmother" program, becoming a warm support system for poor women and orphans.
In Cu M'gar, waste has ceased to be a burdensome weight on the environment and has become a source of sustainable livelihood – a universal key that Unilever Vietnam has given to women, helping them unlock the door to hope and take control of their own destiny.
Step outside the kitchen to take control of your life.
Beyond mere accumulated figures, the greatest value of this journey lies in the confidence that is quietly spreading throughout every household. When hands once accustomed to hard labor can now generate useful income, the voice and status of women in their families and communities in Cư M'gar have been significantly enhanced. This change stems from the pride they feel in seeing themselves as truly useful.
Recalling a culinary marketing event for the Knorr brand (Unilever), Ms. Thuy smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling with joy: " At that moment, we felt much more confident. We understood that women not only master the kitchen but also master the economy to master their lives and their futures."
Waste, after collection, is ready for further processing.
When belief is strong enough, new aspirations begin to sprout. Today, women in Cu M'gar no longer confine their thinking to waste management or farming; they yearn to access new knowledge about culinary arts, receive career guidance, and nurture bold entrepreneurial dreams. Unilever Vietnam's training sessions not only equip them with skills but also help open up new opportunities they had never known before.
This is also the humanistic message that Unilever Vietnam has consistently pursued throughout its journey of accompanying Vietnamese women. As affirmed by Ms. Le Thi Hong Nhi, Deputy General Director of Communications, External Relations and Sustainable Development of Unilever Vietnam: "When women believe in themselves and dare to go further, the door of opportunity will open. This is not just the success of an individual, but the synergy of strength for an entire community of women to develop together, creating sustainable values for the future."
The story of the women of Cư M'gar is one piece of the journey to transform the lives of over 100,000 Vietnamese women through the collaboration between Unilever Vietnam and the Vietnam Women's Union. This figure was announced at the Conference to Review the Implementation of the Cooperation Agreement between the Vietnam Women's Union and Unilever Vietnam for the period 2022-2025, held on March 23rd in Hanoi. Based on these impressive achievements, Unilever Vietnam and the Vietnam Women's Union are committed to continuing to expand the sustainable livelihood model in the period 2026-2027, continuing the journey of "Brighten everyday life for all" for women across the country.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chuyen-phu-nu-bien-rac-thanh-sinh-ke-185260327193010113.htm
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