Vietnamese Women - Glorious Journeys

Skit in the Contest "Learning about Gender Equality Law" organized by the Provincial Women's Union, September 2024

Since the founding of the country, the good qualities of Vietnamese women have shone, reflected in the indomitable fighting spirit of the Trung sisters and Trieu Thi Trinh. Examples such as Queen Mother Duong Van Nga, Royal Concubine Y Lan, female general Bui Thi Xuan... have affirmed the role of women in participating in leading the country and fighting against foreign invaders.

On February 3, 1930, the Indochinese Communist Party was founded. The Party's first political platform, right from its inception, clearly stated "Equality between men and women". The Party soon recognized the important role of women in life as well as in the nation's resistance war. At the founding conference of the Communist Party held from January 6 to February 8, 1930, it was decided to establish mass organizations led by the Party, including the Women's Liberation Association. Afterwards, the first Central Committee Conference of the Party passed the Resolution on Women's Movement and proposed the Charter of the Women's Union.

In response to the new requirements of the revolution in the following stages, the women's revolutionary organizations were successively changed to the Democratic Women's Association, the Anti-Imperialist Women's Association, the Women's National Salvation Union... On October 3, 1946, Minister of the Interior Huynh Thuc Khang signed a Decree allowing the establishment of the Vietnam Women's Union. On October 20, 1946, the Vietnam Women's Union held its inaugural ceremony at the Opera House Square, Hanoi Capital. The name Vietnam Women's Union has been maintained to this day.

During the resistance war against France (1946 - 1954), the Vietnam Women's Union mobilized women nationwide to carry out movements: Women learn to plow, increase production, buy resistance bonds, new life, Association of Mothers of Soldiers... In 18 major campaigns nationwide, women contributed more than 9 million working days, contributing to the victory of the resistance war against France.

After the 1954 Geneva Agreement on Indochina, Vietnam was temporarily divided into two regions. The South continued the resistance war against American imperialism, the North built socialism, becoming a solid rear for the South. During this period, the emulation movements "Good Years" (1961) and "Three Virtuous Women" (1965) quickly developed strongly, mobilizing the combined strength of tens of millions of women from all over the country, contributing to defeating the American invaders. Many female heroes were willing to sacrifice for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, for the happiness of the People, worthy of President Ho Chi Minh 's praise: "Vietnamese women are brave and courageous in fighting the Americans to save the country".

The great victory of Spring 1975 opened a new era, the whole country was independent, unified, and moving towards socialism. In June 1976, the Vietnam Women's Union and the Women's Union for the Liberation of South Vietnam merged, taking October 20, 1930 as the founding date of the Vietnam Women's Union.

During the years of renovation, the role of Vietnamese women has always been recognized and highly appreciated by the Party. The Party always emphasizes that women are an important force in the renovation and socio-economic development; the cause of women's liberation and women's work is the responsibility of the Party and people's organizations, of the whole society and each family.

In the past, Vietnamese women were mostly involved in housework, taking care of the family and rarely participated in social activities. They were bound by the framework of "three obediences and four virtues". Nowadays, in addition to the responsibility of taking care of the family, women have truly entered society with many different roles in all fields of politics, economics, education, culture, science and technology... There are women who have held and are holding important positions in the leadership of the Party, the State, agencies, enterprises...

According to Dr. Dinh Doan, a psychologist, many women today are both “good at housework” and “good at public affairs”. Faced with this reality, women often have no time to rest, take care of themselves, or have fun. Therefore, women should change their perception and skillfully share household chores. In addition, women need to actively practice to have good health, knowledge, and good behavioral skills to confidently assert themselves and always remember to “keep the fire” of happiness for the family.

Following the fine tradition of the Vietnam Women's Union over the years, in recent years, the women's movement in Bac Kan province has had new developments. Women of all classes in the province have gradually affirmed their role and position in the family and society.

Ms. Ma Thi Lich - Vice President of the Women's Union of Ba Be district said that in recent years, with the attention of the Party Committee, government, and organizations, many programs and projects to support women in economic development, vocational training, job creation, loans, reproductive health care, etc. have been implemented synchronously and widely to the highland villages and hamlets, thereby helping women have the conditions to rise up in life, gradually asserting themselves in many fields.

If during the war, the meaning of the founding day of the Vietnam Women's Union on October 20 was associated with honoring the merits and contributions of women in the cause of national liberation, worthy of the eight golden words "Heroic - Indomitable - Loyal - Responsible" that Uncle Ho bestowed. Today, October 20 is an occasion for society to recognize and honor modern, dynamic, knowledgeable women who have contributed much to the development of the country. Not only that, this is also an occasion to express gratitude to grandmothers, wives, mothers, those who have worked hard and devoted all their love to their families throughout their lives./.

Source: https://backan.gov.vn/Pages/phu-nu-viet-nam--nhung-chang-duong-ve-vang-2c0f.aspx