The effectiveness of the model of women participating in safeguarding national security.

Women and the Law Club

During our visit to Pha Lom village, Tam Hop commune (Tuong Duong district) this time, we heard about many "new developments" among the Mong ethnic women there, most notably the activities of the "Women and the Law" Club.

The village of Phá Lõm has 126 households with 676 inhabitants, and 118 people from the village work away from home (mostly men). Therefore, women are the core of all community movements in the village, including the movement for all citizens to protect national security.

Previously, the women of the Mong Pha Lom village only knew how to work in the fields during the day and spend their evenings in the kitchen. Now, however, they are actively participating in social activities. Especially when there were signs of infiltration by a "strange religion" (involving 5 households with 41 people, including 19 adults, among them women), the establishment of the "Women and the Law" Club became extremely practical and meaningful.

Accordingly, every month, officers from the Tam Hop Border Guard Station and the Club's Steering Committee agree on the content and themes of the activities, then select topical issues to disseminate to women, focusing on: the Marriage and Family Law, the Gender Equality Law, the Law on Prevention and Combat of Human Trafficking, the Vietnam Border Guard Law, the Law on Drug Prevention and Control, online fraud, illegal proselytization, etc.

Ms. Vu Y Pia, head of the "Women and the Law" club in Pha Lom village, said: The club currently has 25 members. In addition to in-person activities, the club has also established a Zalo group so that women who work far away or cannot attend club activities can keep up with the club's activities.

“The establishment of the ‘Women and Law’ Club in Pha Lom village has become an ‘extended arm’ in disseminating legal information to each family and village. Through this, it helps the people raise awareness, strictly abide by border regulations, avoid encroachment on land or settlements; not abet criminals, and not follow any ‘strange religions.’ They also always preserve the good customs and traditions of the Mong people…,” said Mr. Gia Ba Tru, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Tam Hop commune.

In Thanh Thuy commune (Thanh Chuong district), the Women's Club for Law model, jointly implemented by the Thanh Chuong District Women's Union and the Thanh Thuy Border Guard Station, has also made many positive contributions.

“From the pilot model in Thuy Son village in 2022 with 332 members, the locality has now expanded to include 5 more ‘Women and the Law’ clubs that operate in an orderly and effective manner. In addition, many other models have been developed, such as the ‘Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence’ club and the ‘Rehabilitation of Offenders for Community Reintegration’ club, contributing to maintaining security and order and ensuring the safety of women and children.”

"It also serves as a place for members to interact, learn, improve their legal knowledge, and promote the role of women in the fight against crime and the protection of national security," said Ms. Hoang Thi Hien, President of the Women's Union of Thanh Thuy commune.

Working together to protect border security.

Besides the "Women and the Law" club model, some localities have established "Women Participating in Protecting Border Sovereignty and Security" clubs that operate effectively.

A prime example is Thong Thu commune (Que Phong district) – an area with 33.737km of border shared with Laos, comprising 8 villages and hamlets, and nearly 1,000 female members. In 2017, the Que Phong District Women's Union directed the launch of the "Women Participating in Protecting Border Sovereignty and Security" Club in Muong Piet village, Thong Thu commune. After a period of operation, the club has grown from 30 members to 65 female members.

Ms. Vi Thi Tam, President of the Women's Union of Thong Thu commune, said: "Previously, before the establishment of the club, women in the border village of Muong Piet sometimes violated border regulations when going into the forest to harvest bamboo shoots or raise buffalo and cattle. After joining the club, the legal awareness of the women has been raised."

Many members have become active advocates, encouraging their relatives and communities to avoid violating border regulations and engaging in unauthorized migration. The club also regularly collaborates with the Thong Thu Border Guard Station to participate in patrols along the border and at border markers, protecting sovereignty and border security.”

Recognizing the potential for widespread adoption, the Women's Union of Que Phong district continued to direct its expansion to Lam Hop village, Tri Le commune and Long Thang village, Hanh Dich commune, attracting 212 members.

Similarly, the "Women Participating in Protecting National Sovereignty and Border Security" Club in Huoi Vieng village, Dooc May commune (Ky Son district), launched in 2017, still maintains regular meetings once every three months.

The activities focused on disseminating information and encouraging women and the general public to comply with legal regulations related to national borders and border rules; preventing illegal entry and exit; combating drug abuse and trafficking of women, etc.

The club also collaborated with the Na Loi Border Guard Station to organize awareness campaigns, eradicate the poisonous plant *Gelsemium elegans*, and raise awareness to combat the problem of some people in mountainous areas using *Gelsemium elegans* to commit suicide.

Whenever members of the "Women Participating in Protecting Border Sovereignty and Security" Club in Huoi Vieng village discover anything unusual while working in the fields, they promptly report it to the authorities and relevant agencies for handling.

"A peaceful border means a peaceful village; the responsibility for protecting the border rests with all citizens, therefore, women cannot stand aside," affirmed Ms. Vu Y Ca, the club's chairperson.

In Mon Son commune (Con Cuong district), the three clubs "Women participating in protecting national territorial sovereignty and border security" in Bac Son village, Nam Son village, and Yen village, with 105 members, are also maintaining effective operations.

Ms. Vi Thi Thuy Duong, President of the Women's Union of Mon Son commune, said: "By participating in the club, members not only regularly update their knowledge of the law, but also have the opportunity to support each other in life through fundraising activities. The club's funds will be used to purchase plant and animal breeds to support disadvantaged members and help them improve their lives."

At a meeting on July 10, 2024, the "Women Participating in Protecting National Territorial Sovereignty and Border Security" Club of Bac Son village donated 140 kg of rice to the "rice savings jar" to help 6 poor female members.

Diversify the models

Currently, the province has more than 500 club models with names such as: "Women and the Law", "Gender Equality", "Families Free from Law Violations and Social Evils", "Prevention of Child Marriage and Consanguineous Marriage", "Sustainable Happy Families"; "Peaceful Club"...

In particular, the Provincial Women's Union directed the establishment of two "rapid response teams" to support cases of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and human trafficking; and two "Safe Migrant Women's Labor Support" groups in Son Thanh and Bao Thanh communes (Yen Thanh district).

Simultaneously, the following models were developed: “Community Support for Preventing and Combating Human Trafficking”; “Trusted Addresses and Temporary Shelters in the Community” in Luong Minh, Xa Luong, Yen Hoa, and Tam Quang communes (Tuong Duong district); Hanh Dich and Muong Ngoc communes (Que Phong district); Chau Thang commune (Quy Chau district); Phu Son commune (Tan Ky district); Huu Kiem commune (Ky Son district); the “Safe Village for Women and Children” model in Nghi Thach commune (Nghi Loc district); the “Responsible Men” Club with members who are perpetrators of violence and the “New Life” Club with members who are victims of violence in Quynh Luong and Quynh Thang communes (Quynh Luu district)…

Every year, the Provincial Women's Union organizes the signing of cooperation programs with prisons and detention centers to coordinate the rehabilitation of female inmates and help them reintegrate into the community; it also directs the Women's Unions in 21 districts, cities, and towns to coordinate with local police to monitor and assist female inmates who have completed their sentences and returned to their localities.

Furthermore, women's associations at all levels actively coordinate with functional forces in providing information to promptly prevent activities involving human trafficking, fraud, and other types of crimes. At the same time, they promote the development and replication of advanced models and best practices in combating crime and protecting national security; and support women and children who are victims of gender-based violence.

Through the operation of these exemplary models, many disadvantaged and vulnerable women members have received support to stabilize their lives; in addition, these models also contribute to motivating and encouraging women's associations at all levels to work closely with functional forces to maintain security and order and firmly protect national border security and sovereignty.