Igniting the passion for women entrepreneurs.

In the context of innovation in Ca Mau province, the women's entrepreneurship movement is spreading strongly, affirming the role and aspirations of women in economic development. A significant contribution to this result is the dedication and responsibility of the association's staff, notably Ms. Le Kim Thi, Deputy Head of the Women's Affairs Department of the Provincial Women's Union, who effectively advised on and implemented the "Support for Women's Entrepreneurship Project giai đoạn 2017-2025", making Ca Mau a shining example nationwide.

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At the recent National Conference summarizing the Project to Support Women's Entrepreneurship in the period 2017-2025, Ms. Thi was honored to receive a Certificate of Merit from the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union for her outstanding achievements in implementing the project.

Courage to fulfill the mission

As Deputy Head of the Women's Affairs Department and Deputy Head of the Socio-Economic Division, Ms. Le Kim Thi served as the focal point for advising on and implementing Project 939 according to Decision 939/QD-TTg and Guidance 09 of the Central Women's Union, handling everything from planning and connecting with various sectors to monitoring and compiling reports. With her meticulousness and perseverance, she made a significant contribution to connecting and concretizing Plan 26/KH-UBND of the Provincial People's Committee, ensuring the effective implementation of the project at every level of the Women's Union.

Throughout the process, she consistently maintained the view that all activities must bring tangible benefits to women – the central focus of the project. Therefore, from consultation to organization, she closely monitored the local area, the actual needs, and each individual woman to ensure that support was accurate, targeted, and timely.

Ms. Le Kim Thi (second from the left) during an inspection to assess the operational status of women's entrepreneurship models at the grassroots level, directly listening to and supporting members in resolving difficulties.

Ms. Kim Thi shared: “During the implementation of the project, my biggest concern was how to ensure that each woman embarking on the path of business and entrepreneurship does not feel alone. Therefore, I and the team always strive to closely support them, from guiding ideas and assisting in product development to connecting with the market. The success of each model is not only a joy for the women entrepreneurs, but also a motivation for us to continue striving even harder.”

Ms. Le Kim Thi (far left) hands over a water tank to the women of Da Bac commune.

Beyond media relations, Ms. Thi also directly advised on the development of a series of practical support activities, closely adhering to specific needs: supporting the "upgrading" of OCOP products for women; assisting 231 products/104 female-owned businesses to achieve OCOP 3-4 star standards; currently supporting one product in completing its OCOP 5-star application; and 10 women's products receiving certification as typical rural industrial products. Notably, she advised on the establishment of nine startup cafes – places where women can meet, share, and connect – and one space for displaying and promoting typical products in Ca Mau.

Many projects have become highlights, such as the Dam Doi salted crab project, the dried shrimp drying model, the Nhat Huy turmeric starch project, and the organic waste composting project... contributing to spreading the name of Ca Mau women more widely on the startup map. Thanks to this close monitoring, the targets of Project 939 are met and exceeded annually; many women's business models have expanded in scale, becoming small and medium-sized enterprises.

During the period 2017-2025, there were 199 thematic reports; 307 news articles in the press; 16,510 exemplary women were introduced and their stories disseminated; and 587 Zalo, Facebook, and fanpage groups of the association were activated for regular communication. The "One Product Per Week" model on social media has become a highlight over the years, creating a boost to help OCOP products, cooperatives, and women's businesses access the market more effectively.

Responsibility towards women

When asked what made her happiest during her years of dedication, Ms. Thi shared: "It's seeing women become more confident, learn how to be financially independent, take good care of themselves and their families, and contribute to society." That is also the biggest goal of Project 939 - enhancing women's economic empowerment, so that they can be more self-reliant through their own efforts.

“Every year, the number of women boldly starting businesses increases, leading to a growing need for consulting and support. Therefore, we must innovate our methods, leverage digital platforms, and connect closely with businesses, experts, and relevant sectors to provide more effective support. I believe that supporting women is not just about helping them earn a living, but about opening the door to self-confidence, enabling them to assert themselves and contribute to the overall development of the province,” Ms. Thi further shared.

Ms. Le Kim Thi (far left) receives a Certificate of Merit from the Vietnam Women's Union at the ceremony honoring 139 collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in implementing the Project to Support Women's Entrepreneurship in the period 2017-2025. (Photo provided by the subject)

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thuy, Vice President of the Ca Mau Provincial Women's Union, assessed: "Ms. Le Kim Thi is a highly responsible official, always proactive and creative in her work, especially in supporting women's economic development and entrepreneurship. In each program, she is deeply involved at the grassroots level, understanding each female participant to advise on appropriate and effective solutions. The outstanding results of Ca Mau in implementing Project 939 in the past have been greatly contributed by Ms. Thi's enthusiasm and dedication."

Through her perseverance, meticulousness, sense of responsibility, and empathy for women, Ms. Thi has contributed to making the women's entrepreneurship movement in Ca Mau more vibrant and substantial. The certificate of merit she received is not only a reward for her personally, but also a testament to the collective effort, the strength of collaboration, and the spirit of overcoming difficulties and creativity of Ca Mau women in the new era.

Ms. Le Kim Thi with a Certificate of Merit from the Vietnam Women's Union at the awards ceremony. (Photo provided by the subject)

Also at the national conference summarizing the Project to Support Women's Entrepreneurship, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested that all levels and sectors create conditions for women, especially vulnerable women, women in remote areas, and ethnic minority women, to have equal access to opportunities in entrepreneurship and business development. It is the dedication and tireless efforts of women's association officials like Ms. Thi that have contributed to bringing these opportunities closer to women in the southernmost region of the country.

Hoang Vu

Source: https://baocamau.vn/thap-lua-cho-phu-nu-khoi-nghiep-a124922.html