Accompanying women in the border areas

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One day at the end of May 2022, traveling more than 600km, the working delegation of the Hanoi Women's Union came to the women of Na Loi commune (Ky Son). On the way from Muong Xen town to Na Loi, the story revolved around the models and situations that the Hanoi Women's Union had helped. Then, everyone was eager to see their achievements, to see the meaningful "gift" that the women of the capital sent to the women's union members of the border commune of Na Loi when responding to the program "Accompanying women in the border areas".

Previously, starting in 2021, in response to the call for action, the Hanoi Women's Union chose Nghe An to implement phase 2 of the program to support the livelihoods of people and women's union members in some border communes here. However, at that time, due to the complicated developments of the Covid-19 pandemic and difficulties in traveling, the union only sent 100 million VND to build shelters for 2 women in 2 communes. In 2022, when the pandemic was under control, the union's working group had the opportunity to return.

Hanoi Women's Union visited and presented gifts to poor households in Na Loi commune (Ky Son). Photo: PV

…The first stop was to visit the wooden house - the "Shelter of Love" of Ms. Luong Thi Noi in Pieng Lau village. This is also the most disadvantaged member of the village because her husband died early, she raised two children alone. Meeting her "benefactors", Ms. Noi was so moved that she could not speak. Since having a house, Ms. Noi no longer worries about rain, sun, or panic when hearing about floods. This great source of encouragement has also motivated her to take care of production and raise her children to study. Also in Na Loi commune, the delegation donated 50 million VND to build a "Shelter of Love" for a disadvantaged female member; donated 50 million VND in livelihood capital to 5 poor women; and donated 20 gifts to 20 poor women.

Receiving the above sentiment, Ms. Luong Thi Nga - President of the Women's Union of Na Loi commune added: We are truly grateful for the support of the units for women in Na Loi commune. These meaningful gifts are not only timely encouragement but also the initial source for women to develop the economy, together eliminate hunger and reduce poverty. On the side of the Women's Union of the commune, we will continue to monitor and accompany so that the supported models will develop and replicate in many households.

Over the past 3 years, under the direction and support of the Provincial Women's Union, the Ky Son District Women's Union has implemented the program "Accompanying women in the border areas" in many border communes in the district such as Na Ngoi, Muong Ai, Nam Can, Nam Can, My Ly, Dooc May, Bac Ly; Keng Du, ... Thereby, many practical activities have been implemented such as supporting house construction, loans for member households, poor women to borrow within 3 years without interest to buy local breeds (black chickens, cows) to develop the economy. Along with that, the association cooperates with local Border Guard Stations to build models of "Protecting border security and sovereignty", "Border Association Base" model, "Happy Family" club.

This is a practical and meaningful program. Thereby, it has contributed to improving the knowledge of cadres and women's union members in border areas on the work of building a strong union, raising awareness of the law, foreign affairs, crime prevention, social evils, economic development, actively participating in emulation movements, campaigns and key tasks of the union.

Ms. Kha Thi Hoai - President of Ky Son District Women's Union

Presenting a herd of cows for livelihood to women's union members in Tuong Duong district. Photo: CSCC

In addition to economic development models, many programs to mobilize people to participate in protecting sovereignty, border security, and ensuring security and order in the area have also been focused on by women's unions at all levels in the province. A typical example is the model "Women participating in protecting sovereignty and border security" of the Women's Union of Tuong Duong district deployed in Tam Quang, Tam Hop, and Nhon Mai communes, which has contributed to raising people's awareness. In addition, through propaganda sessions, the situation of freely crossing the border to visit relatives as well as the situation of encroachment and encroachment in slash-and-burn farming has been limited.

Ms. Tran Thi Thanh - President of the Women's Union of Tuong Duong district shared: In the past two years, the epidemic has caused many activities of women's unions at all levels to be interrupted. However, thanks to the proactive implementation of models and the support of the people, the models have been maintained well, helping women identify their tasks in protecting border security and sovereignty... Also in this program, in recent years, the Women's Union of Tuong Duong district has received support from the Women's Unions of Dien Chau district, Hoang Mai town, Thai Hoa town, Quynh Luu, Nghi Loc, Yen Thanh, the Women's Union of the Provincial Police, and the Women's Union of Nghe An Border Guard. Through that, many "Shelters of Love" have been presented, implementing models of raising dairy cows for poor women and many other meaningful gifts and items.

More motivation

The implementation of the program "Accompanying women in the border areas" launched by the Vietnam Women's Union and the Border Guard Command has brought many practical values. After nearly 4 years of implementation with many tasks and meaningful and practical gifts, the program has partly helped to improve the lives of women members in border communes step by step. The awareness of all aspects of the majority of cadres, members and women has been increasingly improved, the majority of women have complied well with the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws, actively participated in social activities, increased labor production, developed the household economy, escaped poverty, and built progressive and happy families.

Chairwoman of the Provincial Women's Union Nguyen Thi Quynh Hoa presents gifts to members in difficult circumstances in Que Phong district. Photo: PV

Looking back at the program implementation process, one of the success factors is that the Provincial Women's Union has coordinated with relevant departments, branches and grassroots units to build many effective models. From there, the models have been gradually replicated and the beneficiaries have been expanded.

For example, in Hanh Dich commune (Que Phong), the Provincial Women's Union has helped the commune by supporting resources and directing the development of propaganda models and mobilizing resources to establish models such as "Women participating in protecting sovereignty and border security" in Na Sai village, "Preventing human trafficking", "Women with the law", "Educating mothers to raise good children" in Quang Vinh village, "Women preventing crime and social evils" in Vinh Tien village, "Women's association without domestic violence associated with a trusted address"...

The model "Bright Spots of Border Areas" in Xop Nam village, Tam Hop commune (Tuong Duong) was implemented with many meaningful activities such as general environmental sanitation, supporting the construction of civil works, and cleaning houses. Photo: CSCC

Through the activities of the model, women have been guided on how to build healthy, happy families and contribute to political stability and security in the area. For example, from 60 million VND sponsored by Hoa Binh Tourism Joint Stock Company, the model "Supporting women to develop the economy" in Nhon Mai commune has been built since 2018 and has been maintained and developed well to date. From the initial capital for 5 poor women members to invest in loans to buy breeding cows, up to now, the cows have grown to 6 more, bringing the total to 11 cows, from 5 poor women members to now, 4 women have escaped poverty sustainably.

The success and spread of this program has also contributed to gradually improving life, eliminating hunger and reducing poverty, and helping people and women in border areas to be confident, bold, overcome difficulties, and take control of their lives.

The program “Accompanying women in the border areas” is a deeply humane program, contributing to improving women’s lives and promoting the role of women in border areas in protecting national sovereignty and territory, strengthening solidarity, mutual assistance, mutual love, and helping each other of the Vietnamese people./.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Quynh Hoa - President of the Provincial Women's Union