Project 01 has great significance for women's participation in the collective economic sector.

The project “Supporting cooperatives managed by women, creating jobs for female workers by 2030” (Project 01) is the first project on collective economy (KTTT) taking into account the characteristics of women, and is one of the solutions to promote the role of women in developing KTTT. After nearly 2 years of implementation, Project 01 has achieved initial results. On this occasion, PNVN reporter had an interview with Ms. Tran Lan Phuong, Vice President of the Vietnam Women's Union.

Reporter: Madam, what directions has the Vietnam Women's Union given to implement Resolution No. 20-NQ/TW of the 5th Conference of the 13th Party Central Committee dated June 16, 2022 on continuing to innovate, develop and improve the efficiency of the market economy in the new period?

Vice President of the Vietnam Women's Union Tran Lan Phuong : As a socio-political organization representing the legal and legitimate rights and interests of women, the Vietnam Women's Union always focuses on activities to enhance the position and role of women in the family and society; especially promoting, mobilizing and supporting women to participate in the development of the collective economy.

Implementing the policy of "Developing and improving the effectiveness of the collective economy is the task of the entire political system...", the Central Presidium of the Union has directed the Women's Union at all levels to clearly define responsibilities, strengthen advocacy and propaganda work, and improve capacity so that cadres, members, and women have a correct and sufficient understanding of the nature, position, role, importance, and benefits of the collective economy and actively participate in developing the collective economy and cooperatives; integrating and linking the development of the collective economy with the implementation of the targets of the Resolution of the National Women's Congress on enhancing women's economic empowerment.

Recently, the Central Committee of the Union has successfully advised on Project 01; signed a coordination program with the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance on supporting cooperatives managed by women, creating jobs for female workers until 2030; a coordination program with the Ministry of Planning and Investment to support women in starting businesses, developing enterprises and developing collective economy in the period of 2024-2027.

Ms. Tran Lan Phuong, Vice President of Vietnam Women's Union

The Women's Unions of provinces and cities proactively and actively advise the People's Committees of provinces and cities to issue plans/programs to implement Project 01; propose coordination activities with the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance in organizing and implementing work to support women in participating in the development of collective economy, cooperatives and Project 01.

PV: Could you tell us what is the significance of Project 01 in promoting gender equality in the field of collective economy and cooperatives?

Vice President of the Vietnam Women's Union Tran Lan Phuong: The Party and State always affirm that the collective economy is an important economic sector that needs to be consolidated and developed together with the state economy to become a solid foundation of the national economy; prioritize activities to narrow the gender gap, create conditions and opportunities for women to enhance their power, participate and enjoy equality in all areas of social life, contributing to the sustainable development of the country.

Accounting for 46.7% of the total employed workforce, the proportion of trained female workers is low, only 26.7% (1) , so they do simple, low-wage jobs. In the collective economic sector, the proportion of cooperatives with women participating in management is estimated at only 17.8%; cooperatives with women in management and operations and a high proportion of female workers are estimated at 8.6%-12.4% (2) .

As the first project on collective economy taking into account the characteristics of women, Project 01 is one of the solutions to promote the role of women in implementing the Party and State's policies on collective economy development, contributing to promoting gender equality in the fields of labor - employment, poverty reduction and new rural construction.

With practical solutions and activities, Project 01 is of great significance in implementing the target "The rate of female directors/owners of enterprises and cooperatives reaches at least 27% by 2025 and 30% by 2030" set out in the National Strategy on Gender Equality 2021-2030.

PV: After nearly 2 years of implementing Project 01, could you please evaluate the impact of the Project in supporting job creation for female workers?

Vice President of Vietnam Women's Union Tran Lan Phuong : With efforts, proactiveness, resource concentration, enhanced coordination, the work of supporting women in developing collective economy, cooperatives, and implementing Project 01 of the Union at all levels has achieved many results, positively affecting women's participation in the collective economy, creating jobs for female workers.

Propaganda, mobilization, and capacity building on collective economy and the contents of Project 01 have been widely deployed throughout the entire Association system in many diverse forms, raising awareness and understanding of women and people about the benefits of collective economy and the role of women in the collective economy sector;

Arouse the potential, awareness and creativity of women participating in the development of collective economy and cooperatives; improve the capacity of Women's Union officials at all levels in supporting women to participate in the establishment and development of collective economy and cooperatives.

In 2023-2024, the Central Association coordinated with the Associations at all levels to train and foster management and operation skills, develop plans, apply science and technology, register OCOP products, support trade promotion... for 3,600 members, cooperative leaders, and cooperative groups;

Enhance capacity on collective economy and cooperatives for 1,800 non-professional union officials at the commune level. The Women's Union at all levels supports the establishment of 450 new cooperatives, maintains the operation of over 1,800 cooperatives managed by women, creating jobs for thousands of female workers, most of whom are women in rural areas, ethnic minority areas, and difficult mountainous areas.

Women who manage and operate cooperatives play an important role in promoting collective economy, contributing to enhancing women’s economic power and promoting gender equality. Through their efforts and successes, they have affirmed:

Women are fully assuming important positions and achieving economic success. Their presence not only reflects progress in gender equality, but also brings practical benefits to the community and society.

Members and leaders of cooperatives and cooperative groups managed by women participated in a capacity building training course organized by the Vietnam Women's Union in coordination with the Binh Thuan Provincial Women's Union.

PV: To achieve the set goals and targets, could you please tell us what are the directions and instructions for implementing Project 01 in the coming time?

Vice President of the Vietnam Women's Union Tran Lan Phuong : Project 01 is of great significance to the participation of women in the economic sector, requiring the participation of all levels and sectors. In 2025, the Vietnam Women's Union will continue to advise the Central Project Steering Committee to direct the promotion of the role of the Steering Committee members in implementing the goals and tasks of the Project;

Mobilize and integrate resources to implement the Project's activities to ensure progress, quality, efficiency and suitability to the actual situation, focusing on the following activities:

1) Continue to improve the quality of direction and management to play a good role in coordinating with ministries, branches and localities to implement the Project.

2) Promote propaganda and mobilization work, raise awareness of members and women about the Party and State's guidelines and policies on developing collective economy and cooperatives; support women to participate in establishing and developing collective economy and cooperatives.

3) Strengthen training and foster knowledge and skills of Association officials, members, and cooperative management board.

4) Support cooperatives managed and operated by women to continue to consolidate and improve the quality and efficiency of their operations. Coordinate with the State Bank, the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies, the Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, etc. to support cooperatives in accessing credit to develop production and business.

5) Commend, honor, and spread typical collectives and individuals in building and developing collective economy and cooperatives managed by women, creating jobs for female workers.

PV: Thank you very much!

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(1) . Statistical Yearbook 2022

(2) . Vietnam Cooperative Alliance

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/de-an-01-co-y-nghia-lon-doi-voi-su-tham-gia-cua-phu-nu-trong-khu-vuc-kinh-te-tap-the-20241126142841379.htm