The cause of women's liberation in our country has taken an unprecedented step forward.

Vietnamese women march to celebrate the 70th anniversary of National Day, September 2, 2015. Photo: congankhanhhoa.gov.vn

President Ho Chi Minh was a pioneer in the cause of women's liberation in our country. In his work "The Revolutionary Path" (1927), he quoted Karl Marx: "Anyone who knows history knows that if we want to reform society without the help of women, it is impossible" and Lenin: "The revolutionary party must teach women how to cook and do national work, only then can the revolution be called a success."

In the Party's founding document in February 1930, he stated a major social policy of "realizing gender equality" (1).. The appeal on the occasion of the Party's founding (February 18, 1930) also stated clearly: "The Party will guide the proletariat to lead the Annamese revolution to fight to liberate all of our oppressed and exploited brothers and sisters. From now on, we need to join the Party, support the Party and follow the Party to... realize gender equality" (2).

From 1930-1936, under the leadership of the Party, women were enlightened about the revolution and Women's Liberation organizations were gradually formed.

From 1936 to 1938, based on the Resolution of the Central Party Committee Conference (August 1937) on women's mobilization work, the Women's Liberation Organization was changed to the Democratic Women's Association. The Association propagated the Party's guidelines and viewpoints on women's liberation, gender equality, and organized activities related to women's professions to fight for freedom, democracy, and women's rights.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Dinh - the first female Major General of the People's Army of our country. Photo: Archive

From 1939 to 1941, in the context of the outbreak of World War II, under the direction of the Party, the Association decided to change its name to the Anti-Imperialist Women's Association. From 1941 to 1945, the Women's National Salvation Union was established by the Party. Under the leadership of the Party, the Women's National Salvation Union mobilized women of all classes to join the Viet Minh Front. As a result, women became a powerful force, contributing greatly to the victory of the August Revolution in 1945 and the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam).

From recognizing the role of women in the national liberation, President Ho Chi Minh also realized that to successfully build socialism, it is necessary to completely liberate women. He stated: “We make revolution to fight for equality, men and women are equal. Lenin taught us: Women are half of society. If women are not liberated, society is not liberated at all” (3). On October 20, 1946, the Vietnam Women's Union was established by our Party, with the goal of fighting to create an equal position for Vietnamese women.

An art performance by Thai women in Nhang Tham village, Chau Cuong commune, Quy Hop district (Nghe An). Photo: Dao Tuan

Placing his faith in the proactive role of women in studying, working and creating, President Ho Chi Minh believed that: “Under socialism and communism, brave women can complete any task that brave men can do, even though that task requires a lot of talent and determination, such as piloting the Oriental spaceships” (4). He also praised Vietnamese women as “Heroic - Indomitable - Loyal - Responsible”.

In May 1968, in the additional paragraph written in his 1965 Testament, President Ho Chi Minh did not forget to mention the cause of women's liberation: "The Party and the Government need to have a practical plan to train, promote and help more and more women to take charge of all jobs, including leadership. Women themselves must strive to rise up. That is a revolution that brings true equality to women" (5).

The political report at the 13th National Party Congress stated: “Promoting the traditions, potentials, strengths, and spirit of mastery and aspirations of women of all classes. Building Vietnamese women of the new era. Improving the quality of female human resources to meet the requirements of sustainable development and international integration. Strengthening development programs, supporting the updating of knowledge and skills for women in difficult circumstances, ethnic minority and mountainous areas. Perfecting and implementing well the laws and policies related to women, children and gender equality. Resolutely and strictly handling social evils, acts of violence, trafficking and abuse of women and children according to the law” (6).

Thai ethnic women in Nhang Tham village, Chau Quang commune, Quy Hop district (Nghe An) enjoy the festival. Photo: Dao Tuan

[1]Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, Volume 3, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2000, p. 1

[2]Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, Volume 3, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2000, pp. 8-10

[3]Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, Volume 12, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2009, p.195

[4]Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, volume 11, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 1995, p. 97

[5]Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, vol. 15, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2011, p. 617

[6]Communist Party of Vietnam, "Documents of the 13th National Congress of Delegates", volume 1, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2021, p. 169