Uncle Ho's thoughts on the role of women in society

(Baonghean.vn) - Uncle Ho's thoughts on women's rights are an important content in his ideological system. That is the thought of fighting for women's liberation and finding ways to implement women's rights, contributing to building a new Vietnamese woman.

Uncle Ho always appreciated the great role of Vietnamese women and showed us that the classics of scientific socialism highly appreciated the role of women in society. For them, the liberation of women and the realization of gender equality were major goals of the revolution led by the revolutionary party.

This may explain why since 1910 the progressive world has chosen March 8 as “Women and Girls Day”, later changed to International Women’s Day, to unite women of all countries to fight for the liberation of their gender, to gain equal economic, political and social rights for them; also for that reason, when the Communist International (March 1919) or the Third International was founded, it organized international women for those goals.

Uncle Ho with female delegates from the highlands. Photo: Archive

Like Marx and Lenin, from the history of the nation and the world, Uncle Ho clearly saw the role of women in the world in general and women in particular. He commented: "The beautiful mountains and rivers of Vietnam are woven and embroidered by our women, young and old, to become more beautiful and brilliant". He also concluded that "Looking at the history of revolution, there has never been a time when women did not participate", then he affirmed: "The An Nam revolution must also have the participation of women to be successful".

With a comprehensive view, Uncle Ho emphasized that women make up half of humanity; "Talking about women means talking about half of society", similarly "Vietnamese women make up half of our total population"; He also pointed out: "Women are a very important labor force".

Therefore, according to him, “If women are not liberated, society is not liberated”, “If women are not liberated, socialism is only half built”. Uncle Ho analyzed logically and emotionally that: To build socialism, “We must produce a lot. To produce a lot, we must have a lot of labor. To have a lot of labor, we must liberate women’s labor”.

President Ho Chi Minh with officials of the Central Office of the Vietnam Women's Union in Viet Bac, February 1949. Photo courtesy

He said: “Many people mistakenly think that it is an easy task: Today you cook, wash dishes, sweep the floor, tomorrow I sweep the floor, cook, wash dishes, that is equality, equal rights. Big mistake! That is a big and difficult revolution”. According to Uncle Ho, the true equality of women is “Vietnamese women standing on equal footing with men to enjoy all civil rights”.

In his appeal to fight illiteracy, Uncle Ho wrote, “Women need to study even more, for they have been held back for a long time. This is the time for women to strive to catch up with men, to be worthy of being a part of the country, to have the right to vote and run for election.” Or, “Women must participate in all levels of government, in the leadership apparatus of all sectors from the grassroots to the central level, and in the board of directors.”

Lenin also pointed out: “Despite all the laws to liberate women, women are still slaves in the family because miscellaneous housework weighs heavily on their shoulders, making them suffocate, dull, tired, binding them to the kitchen, to the children's room, wasting their strength on extremely trivial work, making them tired and constrained”. Therefore, according to Uncle Ho, liberating women's labor is liberating women from nameless household chores. He often said, “We should try to organize public dining rooms to liberate women from the kitchen”.

President Ho Chi Minh visited female laborers digging ditches to fight drought in Tu Liem, Hanoi, December 16, 1958. Photo courtesy

Uncle Ho strongly criticized the issue of domestic violence, especially the phenomenon of husbands beating their wives. He wrote, “Despising women, and the most barbaric thing is the habit of beating wives… The barbaric habits of beating wives and forcing children must end. Women’s rights must be truly guaranteed.”

From the analysis of gender inequality, Uncle Ho also pointed out possible ways to liberate women and suggested specific targets. For leaders, he criticized the ideas that were heavily gendered and looked down on women. He advised, “We must deeply sympathize with the masses and try our best to help women solve difficult questions.”

For organizations, they must have the responsibility to propagate and educate the law to protect women's rights. For women themselves, they must fight for their own rights, without the mindset of waiting or relying on others. Uncle Ho advised women to try to study culture, politics and career. If they do not study, they will not progress. In work and daily life, Uncle Ho attached great importance to training cadres and cared for and looked after the lives of women.

Uncle Ho gave orchids to three female militiamen of Inter-Zone IV. Photo: Archive

In his Testament, he praised the fighting and sacrificial spirit and advised the entire population to care for and look after women: “In the cause of fighting against the US and saving the country, our capable women have made worthy contributions in combat and production. 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 leadership tasks. Women themselves must strive to rise up. That is a revolution that brings true equality to women.”

Ho Chi Minh's sayings are short and concise but contain many profound implications, like valuable teachings and instructions for the Party, State, authorities at all levels and women themselves in the struggle to realize women's rights and build a new society in the current period./.

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