Emphasis should be placed on disseminating information and guiding women's thinking through social media.
(Baonghean.vn) - Innovating the working methods of women's associations at all levels; limiting the reporting of "fictitious" data; overcoming difficulties in funding the activities of grassroots women's associations... were some of the issues discussed at the Conference summarizing the work of women's associations and movements in 2017 and implementing tasks for 2018.
The conference was held in Vinh City on the morning of January 19th. Attending and directing the conference was Comrade Thai Thanh Quy - Alternate Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, and Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Mass Mobilization Department. Representatives from the Women's Union of districts, cities, and towns in the province also attended the conference.
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| Overview of the conference. Photo: Phuoc Anh |
The conference review showed that in 2017, all levels of the association, from provincial to grassroots, proactively developed plans and implemented key tasks, emulation contents, and leadership models suitable to their localities and units.
During the year, women's associations at all levels throughout the province raised over 3 billion VND to support and assist poor families and students; and over 2.3 billion VND to support the construction and repair of houses for women members in difficult circumstances…
Women's associations at all levels have also proactively exploited programs and projects, maintaining the effectiveness of entrusted lending activities from the Social Policy Bank, and providing credit guarantees with the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank with a total capital of over 3,000 billion VND, providing loans to over 239,900 households. Through activities supporting women's sustainable poverty reduction, women's associations at all levels have helped more than 21,000 poor households headed by women, of which 536 households have escaped poverty.
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| Women in Tong Mon village, Nghia Thinh commune (Nghia Dan district) are actively developing the traditional brocade weaving craft. (Photo: Archival image) |
However, despite the achievements, the activities of the Women's Union at all levels still face many difficulties and limitations. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, President of the Yen Thanh District Women's Union, said that reforming the working methods of the organization is an urgent requirement. In reality, the Women's Union has many activities throughout the year, but the working methods are still rigid, the time available is limited, and it mainly relies passively on directives from higher levels.
Furthermore, the economic situation of commune-level associations is very difficult, with an average budget of only about 10 million VND per year, leading to a lack of resources in implementing activities. This situation is not only occurring in Yen Thanh district but is a common difficulty for many other associations at various levels.
Regarding membership recruitment, the biggest challenge for the Women's Union in mountainous districts is the remote terrain, requiring significant time and effort for travel, which limits activities. The Chairwoman of the Women's Union in Tuong Duong district expressed that there are hardships that only women working in highland areas can truly understand.
“Every time we go to the villages, we have to give notice a week or ten days in advance. Many villages are inaccessible by motorbike; we have to rent motorboats and then walk for hours to reach them. Once there, we sometimes have to spend many days working alongside the women to spread awareness and mobilize support.”
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| On behalf of the authorized representative, Comrade Thai Thanh Quy presented the Certificate of Commendation from the Prime Minister to Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Huyen - Head of the Propaganda Department of the Provincial Women's Union. Photo: Phuoc Anh |
Listening to the thoughts and aspirations of women's association members at all levels, Comrade Thai Thanh Quy, Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Mass Mobilization Department, acknowledged the role and contributions of these women to the all-round development of the province's socio-economic life. While generally agreeing with the assessment report and the association's operational direction for 2018, Comrade Thai Thanh Quy further emphasized several key tasks.
Accordingly, in the coming period, in propaganda and mobilization work, all levels of women's associations need to focus on diversifying forms of communication on the internet, contributing to shaping public opinion; in mobilizing and supporting women in creative entrepreneurship, attention should be paid to equipping women with knowledge and skills in economic management; in building the organization of the association and in social monitoring and criticism, more attention should be paid to women in special areas...
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| Representatives from various levels of the association sign a commitment to participate in the 2018 emulation campaign. Photo: Phuoc Anh |
On this occasion, the Provincial Women's Union launched and signed a commitment to the emulation movement for 2018. At the conference, the Prime Minister's Certificate of Merit was awarded to Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Huyen - Head of the Propaganda Department of the Provincial Women's Union, and the title of Provincial-level Emulation Fighter for the period 2014-2017 was awarded to Ms. Le Thi Huong Giang - Vice President of the Provincial Women's Union; many collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements also received Certificates of Merit and Commendations from the Central Vietnam Women's Union and the Nghe An Provincial Women's Union.
