The "keeper of the flame" of the women's movement in the highlands.

Having been involved in women's association work from the grassroots level and having grown up within the women's movement in the highlands, Ms. Vang Thi Say – President of the Women's Union of Ho Quang Phin commune, Dong Van district, Ha Giang province – is one of the exemplary Women's Union officials, trusted and loved by the people. In a place shrouded in fog year-round, Ms. Say is like a smoldering "flame," persistently illuminating awareness and inspiring the will to strive for progress in each member of the Women's Union in her commune.

From the aspirations of youth…

Born and raised in the challenging Dong Van rocky plateau, Vang Thi Say's childhood years instilled in her a strong will to succeed and a desire to become a village official to contribute to the transformation of her community.

In 2010, after graduating from high school and getting married in Ho Quang Phin, Ms. Say continued her studies in horticulture at the Ha Giang Economic and Technical College, and then joined the local Women's Union. Thanks to her dynamism and close relationship with the people, she was trusted and elected as Vice President of the Ho Quang Phin Commune Women's Union in 2012, and then as President from 2015 to the present. Since assuming the leadership role, Ms. Say has always been conscious of learning, honing her skills, and improving her qualifications to successfully fulfill her assigned tasks.

The Women's Union of Ho Quang Phin commune currently has 599 members operating in 9 villages. Due to the large geographical area, difficult transportation, and the many hardships faced by its members, Ms. Say stated: "For the movement to develop, the Women's Union must be strong from the grassroots, deeply rooted in the villages and hamlets, and do useful and effective things so that the people can see the benefits."

Based on that principle, she proactively innovated the content of the branch's activities, integrating communication on law, reproductive health care, and prevention of domestic violence, and encouraging members to participate in models such as: "Families with 5 no's and 3 clean's"; "Women studying, working creatively, and building happy families"; "Shelter of love"... As a result, the awareness and lives of the members have gradually improved.

Under Say's leadership, many effective models have been maintained, such as savings groups and women's mutual support groups. She also worked with local Women's Union officials to visit each household, encouraging women to participate in Union activities, patiently explaining each situation, thereby fostering camaraderie and building trust in the organization.

The imprint of Project 8

In 2023, Ho Quang Phin commune implemented Project 8 under the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas giai đoạn 2021 - 2030, Phase I from 2021-2025 (National Target Program 1719) with the content: Implementing gender equality and addressing urgent issues for women and children. Ms. Vang Thi Say directly advised, developed plans, sought opinions from the Party Committee and government, and coordinated the implementation of many practical activities.

Ms. Vang Thi Say, President of the Women's Union of Ho Quang Phin commune, guided women on how to prevent and combat trafficking of women and children at the communication session.

Notably, the Women's Union of the commune has established two "Trusted Addresses in the Community" in Phan Nhia Tung and Chin Tru Van villages; organized a delegation to study gender equality awareness models in Sung La and Lung Cu communes; and built a "Leaders of Change" club at the school. In particular, nine communication teams, led by Ms. Say herself, have organized direct communication sessions on: preventing domestic violence; combating trafficking of women and children; and six dialogue sessions with members to address policies related to women, attracting over 2,000 participants.

Ms. Vang Thi Say also focuses on monitoring social welfare policies related to women, such as: supporting safe childbirth; protecting children's rights; and preventing child marriage. The association has successfully supported two cases of women giving birth at the correct age and in accordance with policies, contributing to spreading the message of reproductive health care to villages and hamlets.

Not only is she an active Women's Union official, Ms. Vang Thi Say is also a responsible Party member, a representative of the Commune People's Council for two terms, and a member of the Commune Party Committee. Her family is one of the exemplary households in economic development in the locality. Both husband and wife work as commune officials, and despite their busy schedules, they still manage to raise cattle and pigs, earning over 50 million VND per year.

Ms. Vang Thi Say received first prize at the competition to find creative solutions in communication to eliminate gender stereotypes, prevent domestic violence and child abuse, organized by the Women's Union of Dong Van District, Ha Giang Province in September 2024.

For her consistent contributions, in 2024, Ms. Say was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the President of the Vietnam Women's Union: "Outstanding Grassroots Women's Union Cadre" for the 13th Congress term. Prior to that, she won first prize in the competition to find creative solutions in gender equality communication and prevention of violence and child abuse, organized by the District Women's Union. For 10 consecutive years, she has been awarded the title of Advanced Worker.

Sharing about her journey of more than 10 years dedicated to the Women's Union, Ms. Say humbly said: "I haven't done anything great, I only hope to contribute a small part to help women in the commune feel confident and bold in changing their lives. The most valuable thing is the trust and affection of the people, which motivates me to continue striving."

Bui Thi Thanh Hai, Vice President of the Dong Van District Women's Union, commented: "Vang Thi Say, President of the Ho Quang Phin Commune Women's Union, is a prime example of responsibility and dedication to the grassroots women's movement. She is a role model in mobilizing, disseminating information, and building a strong Women's Union organization from the grassroots level."

Source: https://baodantoc.vn/nguoi-giu-lua-phong-trao-phu-nu-vung-cao-1750134232222.htm