Changing the economic mindset of Quang Minh women.

From single mothers and struggling farming families, they boldly borrowed capital, innovated their production mindset, achieved legitimate wealth, and spread profound humanistic values within their communities.

The People's Committee of Quang Minh commune held a meeting with representatives from the Social Policy Bank - Me Linh Branch to implement a plan for farmers to borrow capital for economic development. Photo: Thanh Tuyen

Women's Economic Development Movement

Quang Minh Commune, a newly formed area with a large population and rapid urbanization, faces many development opportunities but also numerous challenges in ensuring social welfare and improving the quality of life for its people. Within this overall context, the Women's Union of Quang Minh Commune has affirmed its role as a core force, accompanying its female members on their journey to escape poverty and take control of their lives.

Right from the moment the organization stabilized after the administrative unit reorganization, the Women's Union of the commune quickly followed the leadership of the Party Committee and the government, focusing on implementing practical emulation movements, with the main focus being supporting women's economic development and sustainable poverty reduction. Through policy credit channels, savings and loan groups, training activities in science and technology transfer, and support for entrepreneurship and business startups, the Union gradually fostered a spirit of self-reliance and self-improvement in each member.

Beyond the figures of hundreds of billions of dong in outstanding loans or thousands of members receiving loans, what is noteworthy is the systematic and practical approach, such as: selecting the right target groups and models, linking loans with consultation, support, and supervision. This approach has created a foundation for many women not only to escape poverty but also to achieve long-term prosperity and stability.

In the peaceful village of Dai Bai, Nguyen Thi Huyen's small grocery store has become a familiar address for the locals. Few know that behind today's stability lies a long and arduous journey for this single mother, born in 1976, who single-handedly supported her family and raised two children to adulthood.

Thanks to a loan, Ms. Nguyen Thi Loan opened a business collecting onions, garlic, and vegetables locally to sell to restaurants, generating a high income. Photo: Ngoc Dung

In previous years, Ms. Huyen's life was filled with worries about making ends meet. Without a stable job and with an uncertain income, the burden of earning a living fell entirely on the mother's shoulders. By participating in the Women's Association of Dai Bai village, she gained access to information about preferential credit programs and received advice from Association officials on business models suitable for her family's circumstances.

In 2023, with the guarantee of the Women's Association, Ms. Huyen boldly borrowed 70 million VND from the Social Policy Bank to open a grocery store at home. In the early days, the store was simple, with little capital and limited experience, but through hard work, trustworthiness, and sincere business practices, the store gradually attracted more customers.

To date, her monthly income of 15-20 million VND has helped her stabilize her life, raise her children to adulthood, and sustainably escape poverty. Not only is she a successful businesswoman, but Ms. Huyen also actively shares her experience and encourages other members in difficult circumstances to boldly borrow capital and start their own businesses.

Her story vividly demonstrates the effectiveness of preferential credit policies and the supportive role of the Women's Union in empowering disadvantaged women to rise above their circumstances.

If Ms. Huyen exemplifies the spirit of overcoming difficulties, then Ms. Nguyen Thi Loan, a member of the Women's Association in Phu Tri village, is a prime example of a woman who dares to think, dares to act, and achieves legitimate wealth while fulfilling her social responsibilities. Starting from a purely agricultural family, and recognizing the difficulties faced by local farmers in selling their produce, Ms. Loan and her husband boldly established a model for purchasing onions, garlic, and vegetables right in their locality. This approach not only helped her family stabilize their finances but also contributed to solving the problem of finding markets for many farmers. Furthermore, Ms. Nguyen Thi Loan has gradually expanded her production scale, creating stable jobs for many local workers and generating a decent income. What is particularly commendable is that after achieving economic stability, Ms. Loan is willing to help the underprivileged, creating jobs for those who have made mistakes in the past, and providing interest-free loans to those in difficult circumstances, giving them the opportunity to improve their lives.

From a family-based economic model, the stories of Ms. Loan and Ms. Huyen have spread a clear message: wealth creation is not just for oneself, but also for the community.

In addition to economic development, the Women's Union of Quang Minh commune, in coordination with the Economic Department, is implementing a model for a green environment. Photo: Thanh Tuyen

Replicating best practices - the key to sustainable poverty reduction.

According to Tran Thi Ngoc Dung, Vice Chairwoman of the Fatherland Front Committee and Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Quang Minh commune, the examples of women overcoming difficulties and developing their economy, such as Ms. Nguyen Thi Huyen and Ms. Nguyen Thi Loan, not only serve as commendable examples but also as "living proof" of the effectiveness of policies and programs supporting women's economic development and sustainable poverty reduction.

"These concrete, real-life examples right in the villages and hamlets help members see that if they have access to loans from the right sources, receive timely advice and support, women can confidently start businesses, stabilize their lives, and legitimately become wealthy," emphasized Tran Thi Ngoc Dung, President of the Women's Union of Quang Minh commune.

Identifying and replicating exemplary models is a continuous task, the Women's Union of the commune has linked the discovery, nurturing, and promotion of successful female entrepreneurs with the "Hanoi Women: Loyal, Creative, Capable, and Elegant" emulation movement. These exemplary individuals are introduced at branch meetings and on the local radio system, becoming "nucleus" for sharing experiences and inspiring other members.

According to the Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Quang Minh commune, for the women's movement to borrow capital for production and business development to be truly sustainable, the key factor is changing the economic mindset of the members. "We not only introduce loan opportunities, but also focus on advising on suitable models, linking loans with the knowledge, skills, and responsibility of the borrowers. Capital is only effective when women are confident, proactive, and have a clear business plan," shared Ms. Tran Thi Ngoc Dung.

The Women's Union of Quang Minh commune handed over personal protective equipment and production equipment to the Women's Union branches in the villages. Photo: Thanh Tuyen

Accordingly, the Association continues to closely coordinate with the Social Policy Bank and women's support funds to effectively manage capital, ensuring its proper, efficient, and safe use. Simultaneously, training courses are conducted on household financial management, technology transfer, business skills development, and connecting product consumption, especially with small-scale businesses owned by women.

One solution that the Association particularly values is using exemplary models to lead the movement. Successful members directly share their experiences and provide hands-on guidance to women starting new businesses, helping them gain more confidence on their entrepreneurial journey. The practice in Quang Minh commune shows that sustainable poverty reduction is not just about resources, but about spreading positive values within the community. Many women, after achieving economic stability, have returned to support other members, creating jobs, participating in humanitarian and charitable activities, and contributing to building a cultural life in their residential areas.

"From each individual example, we hope to form sustainable community values, so that women not only escape poverty but also become a driving force for local development," affirmed the Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Quang Minh commune.

Through everyday stories, yet rich in meaning, the women's movement for economic development and sustainable poverty reduction in Quang Minh is gradually spreading far and wide. These "silent flowers" continue to contribute to building Quang Minh into a harmonious, humane, and sustainable development area.

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