Supporting women in mountainous and remote areas to develop and consume traditional products

Not only preserving their identity, many women in mountainous and remote areas have turned traditional occupations into sustainable livelihoods, bringing their products far to the market.

Early morning in Thuong Lam commune, Tuyen Quang province, in a cozy stilt house, the sound of weaving, clattering and rhythmic, breaks the silence of the mountains and forests. Five or six Tay ethnic women, each with a different task, work quickly to complete the brocade scarves to send to customers.

"In the past, there were times when the brocade weaving profession was in decline, and not many products were sold," confided Ms. Ngo Thi Minh, President of the Women's Union of Thuong Lam commune.

This is also a common concern of many women in the highlands. Traditional occupations used to be a source of pride, but in the face of the wave of industrial goods and modern life, many occupations are at risk of disappearing. In order to prevent the traditional occupations of women in remote, mountainous areas from disappearing, the Women's Union at all levels has played the role of a bridge for women to preserve their occupations, have additional livelihoods, and develop trade for traditional local products.

Group of people with the same hobby of weaving brocade in Thuong Lam commune.

Support for women to preserve traditional professions

The turning point came to the female members and women of Thuong Lam commune when the Women's Union organized the Thuong Lam Commune Brocade Weaving Hobby Group. By joining the group, the women not only learned new patterns but also connected, supported in promoting, consuming, finding outlets for their products, and increasing their income to take care of their families.

According to Ms. Ngo Thi Minh, the way she works with her sisters is to turn traditional crafts into real livelihoods. Women who keep the craft are preserving their identity, but more importantly, they must be able to live off the craft."

Not only Tuyen Quang, but also many other remote and mountainous provinces, Women's Unions at all levels have become a support for members and women to develop the economy from traditional occupations. In Lao Cai, with the support of Women's Unions at all levels, women have boldly established medicinal cooperatives, processed herbal bath leaf products, herbal pillows, etc. to bring products to e-commerce platforms. In Thai Nguyen, traditional occupations such as weaving palm leaf hats, bamboo and rattan weaving, etc. have also been revived. Products are not only consumed in villages but also displayed and sold at famous tourist destinations.

At all levels of the Women's Union, over the past 5 years, thousands of vocational training and business start-up classes for women in remote and mountainous areas have been implemented. Many brocade, culinary and medicinal products have been recognized as 3-4 star OCOP, opening new paths for members and women.

Ms. Ma Thi Hong, Director of Lam Binh Vocational Education Center for Continuing Education, Tuyen Quang province, assessed: "The most important point is to link the profession with the market. When traditional products are brought into community tourism and modern commerce, women will see that keeping the profession is not only a responsibility, but also a way out of poverty."

Referral points help women advertise and sell products.

From remote areas to large markets

In Lam Thuong commune, Lao Cai province, Ms. Hoang Thi Hue works hard every day in the forest to cut palm leaves and weave conical hats to sell, but her income is not much. But thanks to tourists and training and guidance on how to promote via Facebook and Zalo, the small conical hats have reached out of the village, following customers to many new lands. "I never thought that my commune's products would go so far. Thanks to that, my family has more income," Ms. Hue excitedly said.

Ms. Tran Thao Linh, a tourist from Hanoi, after her experience trip in Lam Thuong, brought a conical hat back to the capital: "Every time I go to lunch and wear a hat to avoid the sun, I remember the memories of coming to the village. I buy a hat not only to use, but also to preserve the memories of the highlands."

The conical hats reach far beyond the village.

Along with conical hats, other products of the commune such as mai bamboo shoots, shredded bamboo shoots, fish sauce, etc. have also begun to be sold on online platforms. Products that were once only available in remote villages have now spread to the city, even abroad. Many women in the highlands, who used to work hard in the fields, have now become business owners and confident businesswomen. Income from their jobs helps them raise their children, build decent houses. More importantly, traditional jobs are no longer at risk of disappearing, but are proudly continued by the younger generation.

In addition to the support of the Women's Union at all levels, the Industry and Trade sector is also an "extended arm" to help traditional craft products gain a foothold in the market. For many years, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has coordinated with the Vietnam Women's Union to implement programs to support women in starting businesses, provide training on e-commerce, and bring OCOP products and handicrafts to fairs to promote and consume products.

Products are introduced to consumers through festival programs, fairs...

At the local level, the Department of Industry and Trade of Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen, etc. regularly coordinates to organize trade fairs, connect consumers, and provide training on labels, packaging, and quality standards for cooperatives managed by women. Thanks to this, many products of members and women in remote, mountainous areas are not only known domestically but also have the opportunity to be exported.

"Each traditional craft that is preserved not only helps women escape poverty, but also preserves cultural identity. Our Women's Union will continue to accompany us so that traditional crafts not only survive, but also thrive in the modern flow," Ms. Ngo Thi Minh, Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Thuong Lam commune, Tuyen Quang province, emphasized.

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Source: https://baolaocai.vn/tiep-suc-de-phu-nu-mien-nui-vung-sau-vung-xa-phat-trien-va-tieu-thu-san-pham-truyen-thong-post881897.html