Affirming the role of women in economic development

Photo caption — Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Phuong (Vinh Xuan commune, Vinh Long province) develops the garment processing profession, bringing jobs and stable income to many women members.

Through practical activities such as capital support, science and technology transfer, sharing of production and business experiences... many women members boldly invest, promote creativity, confidently enrich themselves legitimately, affirming the role and position of women in economic development.

Women confidently start a business

With flexible and creative methods, the Women's Union at all levels of Vinh Long province has implemented many models to support women in economic development and entrepreneurship, creating conditions for them to confidently take charge of their lives. The models are built to suit the conditions of each region and target group, helping women choose the direction of economic development, increase income and promote their own capacity.

With the characteristic of having many female members living in rural areas, the Association at all levels has developed many local livelihood models, helping women have jobs close to home, balancing work and life. The models not only help members increase their income but also spread the spirit of solidarity and mutual support.

After more than 10 years of working in the garment processing industry, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Phuong (Vinh Xuan commune) realized that this was a suitable profession for herself and many members, so she boldly pursued and developed it. From taking on garment processing jobs for others, she gradually expanded the scale and recruited more people to help. Initially, there were only 1-2 people, after a few years, she expanded into a sewing team, and now, she has developed and participated in the local garment cooperative.

Ms. Phuong said that the initial difficulty was capital and machinery. To overcome this, she chose to rent machines for workers, and over time, when there were orders and income, she invested in buying machines to ensure operation. Up to now, with her own efforts and support from the locality and the Women's Union, Ms. Phuong has developed two production workshops with about 30 sewing machines, creating regular jobs for many female workers.

According to Ms. Phuong, this job is quite suitable for many local women as it provides stable employment with an income of 3-7 million VND per month. This is a light job that can be done at home, so she has encouraged many women to participate.

Ms. Phuong shared: "In the coming time, I hope to continue to receive attention and support from all levels and sectors to invest in more machinery and equipment and expand the product consumption market so that the model can develop more sustainably. If there is a stable source of goods and conditions to invest in sewing machines, it will create jobs for more women, helping women have the opportunity to work, increase income and develop the family economy."

Ms. Le Thi Thuy Linh (Vinh Xuan commune) said that before, she only stayed at home as a housewife, but since joining the sewing group, she has had an additional income of 3-4 million VND per month. According to Ms. Linh, this job is easy, flexible in terms of time, and suitable for the elderly.

The movement of women starting a business in Vinh Long in recent times has also been associated with the effective promotion of traditional handicrafts. Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Lan (Song Phu commune) is a typical example of weaving water hyacinth carpets - a profession she has been involved in for more than 10 years. From not knowing the profession, she persevered in learning, then became an instructor for many other women. In 2023, she established the Van Phat Handicraft Cooperative. Currently, the Cooperative's products are consumed stably in and outside the province, aiming to expand the market and create regular jobs for female workers.

According to Ms. Lan, weaving water hyacinth mats brings practical benefits to rural women. This job does not require heavy labor, low investment capital, can be done at home, taking advantage of idle farming time. Each worker can earn from 3-5 million VND/month depending on output.

"This job helps women manage their time, earn extra income, and maintain family routines. Many women stick with the job and pass it on to their children and grandchildren, creating an atmosphere of solidarity and working together to develop the economy," Lan shared.

Accompanying women in economic development

According to the Women's Union of Vinh Long province, with the goal of "For the comprehensive development of women", the Unions at all levels in the province have formed movements: "Women help each other develop the economy", "Vinh Long women pioneer in starting a business and innovating".

The province has nearly 1,650 collective economic models and nearly 100 cooperatives run by women, mobilizing tens of billions of VND to support women in starting businesses. The models are creating clear changes in the lives of members, contributing to increasing income, reducing poverty sustainably, and affirming the role, position and creativity of women.

Ms. Nguyen Bang Nhi (Huong My commune) is a typical model for the generation of young women who dare to think and dare to do. Graduated from Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture, instead of choosing a stable path in the city, she made a bold decision to return to her hometown to start a business with the Cocohand coconut handicraft production facility.

Ms. Bang Nhi focuses on developing main product lines such as coconut jewelry, coconut paintings, handbags, hats made from coconut fibers... All products are designs that she researched, carved and innovated herself. Each product is a work of art, carrying its own story and message, depending on the material, color, and wood grain of the coconut shell. Currently, Cocohand has 3 products that have achieved 3-star OCOP certification including: Coconut jewelry, woven bamboo coconut paintings and glass box coconut paintings; at the same time, it is completing the dossier to upgrade to 4-star OCOP.

The brand name "Cocohand" and the professional presentation of the products contribute to increasing the attractiveness and reliability of the brand. Ms. Nguyen Bang Nhi shared: "The coconut tree is a tree that "does not waste any part", it can be fully utilized to create new value. I hope that, from my hometown coconut tree, I can make products that are both beautiful and meaningful, helping to improve people's lives".

Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Vinh Long province Nguyen Thi Kim Thoa said that in recent times, the Union at all levels has promoted the internal resources of women members through movements and models to help each other develop the economy, spreading the spirit of mutual assistance, sharing and solidarity in the women's community. Many models, although starting from small ideas, have brought great efficiency, typically the movement of women helping each other develop the economy, lending plants and seeds, supporting capital, sharing production experiences, etc. Through credit activities, the Union has formed many savings and loan groups according to occupational groups or residential areas, creating conditions for members to connect and support each other in difficult times to develop the family economy together.

Notably, through the "Women's Startup Ideas" contest, many innovative models have been formed, helping members approach experts, scientists and sponsors, thereby improving capacity and expanding their professions. The Association pays special attention to the application of science - technology and digital transformation in production and consumption of products. While in the past women mainly traded through traditional channels, now many typical local products are put on e-commerce platforms, widely promoted on social networking platforms, helping to increase value and accessibility to consumers. From local resources, women members are encouraged to promote creativity, develop more new products, innovate designs, improve quality, and quickly catch up with modern market trends. Thereby, the role and creative capacity of women in economic development are increasingly affirmed, contributing positively to the sustainable development of the locality in the integration period.

In the coming time, the Association will summarize, evaluate and replicate effective models, especially production linkage models, developing industries in line with new trends, while strengthening connections with the government and support policies to help members have more conditions for economic development. The Association will expand appropriate support services, helping women to be confident and proactive in developing their family economy...

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Thoa emphasized: "After merging administrative boundaries, the development conditions of the models and typical products of the three old units are more favorable in finding customers and expanding the market. The cultural exchange between regions has opened up many opportunities for cooperation and product promotion, helping local women develop an effective, sustainable economy with its own identity. Not only stopping at support, the Association also takes advantage of State policies, connects experts and capable organizations, aiming to help women develop economic models associated with the application of information technology and creative economic models, in line with the current digital transformation trend".

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/khang-dinh-vai-tro-phu-nu-trong-phat-trien-kinh-te-20251020135648681.htm