The journey of ethnic minority women to greater heights.

Previously, ethnic minority women in Quang Ninh were primarily involved in farming and household chores, with limited opportunities for learning, social interaction, and economic development. However, thanks to supportive policies and their own efforts, the lives of ethnic minority women are changing day by day. From remote villages to border areas, women are gradually asserting their role in economic development, preserving their cultural identity, and contributing to social stability.

Pioneering women…

On a Sunday morning in early April, in Khe Xa village, Dap Thanh commune (Ba Che district), the sound of bamboo brooms clinking echoed from early morning. Along the small village roads, Ms. Duong Thi Truong, head of the Women's Association in the village, was working with her fellow members to collect household waste and sort organic waste into bio-fertilizer. This was part of the "Green Sunday" initiative – a model that has spread throughout the village since Ms. Truong started it.

Ms. Duong Thi Truong, Head of the Women's Association of Khe Xa village (Dap Thanh commune, Ba Che district), is developing her family's economy .

Born and raised in the mountainous district of Ba Chẽ, like many other San Chay women, Ms. Dương Thị Trường (born in 1990) has always been diligent in farming and taking care of her home. When she was introduced to and participated in movements such as: Building equal, prosperous, progressive, and happy families; building "5 no's, 3 clean" families; "Green Sunday"; and supporting women's economic development... Ms. Trường recognized the positive impact on herself, her family, and those around her. From then on, she encouraged many other women in the village to participate, gradually gaining their trust and support.

With her enthusiasm, dedication, and creativity, Ms. Duong Thi Truong was elected Head of the Women's Association in Khe Xa village. Sharing experiences in family care, developing economic models, and guiding those with more knowledge to those with less... this is how Head of the Association, Ms. Duong Thi Truong, manages her 60-member branch.

As a women's affairs officer in a remote and underdeveloped village, Ms. Truong diligently learned and then passed on her knowledge to other women in the branch about building cultured families, implementing population and family planning policies, preventing domestic violence, and promoting savings among women.

Furthermore, Ms. Truong actively promoted the model of "Household waste sorting and organic waste treatment for microbial fertilizer production," with 24 households currently participating. This is no easy task, given the ingrained habit of littering and unsanitary livestock pens in the ethnic minority communities. However, through awareness campaigns, persuasion, and hands-on guidance, people's thinking has gradually changed. Today, in Khe Xa village, people's homes are much tidier and more organized, and the "Green Sunday" initiative has spread throughout the village.

Today, ethnic minority women are no longer "lagging behind"; they are moving alongside and even ahead in many movements. These mothers and sisters in the villages are increasingly asserting their pioneering role in the journey of building new rural areas, preserving traditional culture, maintaining border security, and gradually overcoming poverty sustainably.

In reality, at the grassroots level, many exemplary female cadres from ethnic minority groups have strived to study, train, and set examples in their work and lives, inspiring their fellow ethnic minorities in remote areas to overcome difficulties and build a new life.

In Dai Van village, Dai Xuyen commune (Van Don district), Ms. Tang Nhi Mui, Party Secretary and Village Head, has become a shining example. Having witnessed the village's poverty firsthand, Ms. Mui was determined to persuade the villagers to change their mindset and practices. She went from house to house, guiding them in applying science and technology to production and improving their lives.

Ms. Tang Nhi Mui (on the right) assesses the agricultural production situation of the people in Dai Van village (Dai Xuyen commune, Van Don district). Photo: Hoang Giang

Thanks to her determination, the people of Dai Van have changed their farming habits, improving agricultural productivity. Furthermore, she actively encouraged women to participate in vocational training classes, creating additional stable income sources. Currently, many women in the village have jobs, know how to apply technology to agricultural production, and participate in collective economic activities.

Ms. Tang Nhi Mui shared: "If we don't change ourselves, life will remain the same. Now, with the support and assistance from the local government and the Women's Union, we must change even more. When we can improve our economic situation, we women will be very happy and excited."

In light of major policies such as Resolution 06-NQ/TU and with the close support of the Women's Union at all levels, the growth and transformation of women in ethnic minority areas is not only the result of access to policies, but also a vivid testament to their aspirations for advancement, solidarity, creativity, and dedication to the community.

Ly Thi Trang and her Kombucha tea product.

Having earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Work at the age of 22, Ly Thi Trang, a young woman of the Dao ethnic group, decided to return to her hometown of Ba Che to start her career. With a passion for researching medicinal herbs, Ly Thi Trang joined and became a member of the Ba Che Golden Flower Tea Medicinal Herb Cooperative. With a thorough understanding of the value of the golden flower tea plant, in 2024, Ly Thi Trang boldly participated in the Startup Competition - Creating Solutions for Green Growth and Sustainable Development organized by the Center for Communication on Natural Resources and Environment (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment).

In her project, Ly Thi Trang clearly stated that golden flower tea is an herbal remedy capable of controlling tumor growth by up to 33.8%. The natural fermentation process of Kombucha combined with golden flower tea increases nutritional content and enriches Kombucha tea products on the market, increasing opportunities for consumers to choose and use natural, safe products.

Given the practicality and superiority of Kombucha tea produced from the golden camellia plant, and its market viability, the project "Producing Kombucha tea from the golden camellia plant in Ba Chẽ, promoting the valuable medicinal properties of the locality" was honored to be one of 18 winning products in the Startup Competition - Creating solutions for green growth and sustainable development.

Driven by her passion for golden flower tea, Ly Thi Trang always strives to bring golden flower tea and related products to a wider customer base. This young Dao woman is affirming the role of ethnic minority women in local economic development, contributing to preserving and spreading the economic values ​​and cultural identity of the Ba Che highlands to the community.

Officials from the Women's Union of Yen Than commune (Tien Yen district) assess the use of preferential loans by members for economic development. Photo: Hoang Giang

Resolution 06-NQ/TU - creating a powerful transformation

Specifically for women in ethnic minority areas, the specific targets and tasks aimed at concretizing Resolution No. 06-NQ/TU not only help women improve their production capacity but also promote a change in perception regarding their role in the family and society.

The traditional embroidery and sewing club of women in Yen Than commune (Tien Yen district).

It can be seen that, after 5 years of implementing Resolution No. 06-NQ/TU dated May 17, 2021, of the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee, the lives of ethnic minority women in the province have undergone many positive changes. The quality of life has improved significantly; by the end of 2024, the average per capita income in the 67 communes and towns in ethnic minority, mountainous, border, and island areas of the province reached 83.79 million VND/person/year (an increase of 40.09 million VND/person compared to 2020).

Women in Dai Duc commune (Tien Yen district) participate in traditional ethnic games.

Thanks to various support policies, thousands of ethnic minority women have not only secured stable housing but are also gradually taking control of their lives. Many livelihood models for women, such as fruit tree cultivation, livestock farming, and community tourism development, have been effectively implemented, helping them increase their income and achieve sustainable poverty reduction. Beyond economic improvement, ethnic minority women are also given opportunities to learn vocational skills, access healthcare and education services, and gradually assert their roles in the family and community. The journey of transformation for ethnic minority women continues. With the attention of the Party and State, the specific policies of Quang Ninh province, and their self-reliance, many ethnic minority women have been and are continuing to write their own stories of escaping poverty and taking control of their lives.

Hoai Minh

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/hanh-trinh-vuon-xa-cua-phu-nu-dan-toc-thieu-so-3354172.html