The journey of ethnic minority women

Pioneering Women…

On a Sunday morning in early April, in Khe Xa village, Dap Thanh commune (Ba Che), the sound of bamboo brooms clattering could be heard early in the morning. On the small roads of the village, Ms. Duong Thi Truong, Head of the Women's Association of the village, was working with other members to collect household waste and sort organic waste into bio-fertilizer. This was an activity in "Green Sunday" - a model that has spread throughout the village since Ms. Truong initiated it.

Ms. Duong Thi Truong, Head of the Women's Union of Khe Xa village (Dap Thanh commune, Ba Che district) develops household economy.

Born and raised in the mountainous district of Ba Che, like many other San Chay women, Ms. Duong Thi Truong (born in 1990) has always been diligent in farming and taking care of the house. When she was mobilized and approached the movements: Building an equal, prosperous, progressive, happy family; building a "5 no, 3 clean" family, "Green Sunday"; supporting women in economic development... Ms. Truong realized the effects on herself, her family and those around her. From there, she mobilized many other women in the village to participate, gradually gaining the trust and support of the women.

With her enthusiasm, dedication and creativity, Ms. Duong Thi Truong was elected as the Head of the Women's Association of Khe Xa village. Working together, sharing experiences in family care, building economic models, those who know a lot teach those who know less... is how Head of the Association Duong Thi Truong manages the association of 60 members.

As a female cadre in a remote and backward village, Ms. Truong has diligently studied and passed on to her fellow women in the association about building a cultural family, implementing population and family planning policies, preventing domestic violence, and the women's savings movement...

In addition, Ms. Truong also actively promoted the implementation of the model of "Classifying household waste and treating organic waste into bio-fertilizers at households", with 24 households currently participating. This is not an easy task because the habit of littering and unsanitary barns has been deeply ingrained in the lifestyle of ethnic minorities, but when promoted, mobilized and guided, people's thinking has gradually changed. Up to now, in Khe Xa village, people's houses are much neater and tidier, and "Green Sunday" has also spread throughout the village.

Ethnic minority women today are no longer “behind the curve”, they are accompanying and even leading many movements. Mothers and sisters in the villages are increasingly asserting their pioneering role in the journey of building new rural areas, preserving traditional culture, maintaining border security and gradually overcoming poverty sustainably.

Reality from the grassroots shows that many typical examples of female ethnic minority cadres have strived to study, practice, set examples in work and life, inspiring ethnic minorities in remote areas to compete to overcome difficulties and build a new life.

In Dai Van village, Dai Xuyen commune (Van Don district), Ms. Tang Nhi Mui, Party cell secretary and village chief, has become a typical example. Having witnessed the poverty of the village, Ms. Mui is determined to encourage people to change their thinking and way of doing things. She goes from house to house, instructing them on the application of science and technology in production, improving their lives.

Ms. Tang Nhi Mui (right) grasps the agricultural production situation of people in Dai Van village (Dai Xuyen commune, Van Don district). Photo: Hoang Giang

Thanks to her determination, the people of Dai Van have changed their farming habits and improved agricultural productivity. Not only that, she also actively encouraged women to participate in vocational training classes, creating a stable source of income. Currently, many women in the village have jobs, know how to apply technology to agricultural production and participate in collective economic activities.

Ms. Tang Nhi Mui shared: “If we don’t change ourselves, life will continue to be the same. Now that we have the support and help from the local government and the Women’s Union, we have to change even more. If we can do business, we will be happy and excited.”

In the light of major policies such as Resolution 06-NQ/TU and the close support of the Women's Union at all levels, the growth and change of ethnic minority women is not only the result of policy access, but also a vivid demonstration of the aspiration to rise up, the spirit of solidarity, creativity and dedication to the community.

Ly Thi Trang and Kombucha tea products.

Becoming a Bachelor of Social Work at the age of 22, Ly Thi Trang, a Dao ethnic girl, decided to return to her hometown of Ba Che to start a business. With a passion for researching medicinal herbs, Ly Thi Trang joined and became a member of the Ba Che Golden Camellia Medicinal Herbs Cooperative. With a thorough understanding of the value of the golden camellia plant, in 2024, Ly Thi Trang boldly participated in the Startup Competition - Creating solutions for green growth and sustainable development organized by the Center for Communication of Natural Resources and Environment (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment).

In her project, Ly Thi Trang stated that golden flower tea is a type of herb that can control tumor growth by up to 33.8%. The natural fermentation process of Kombucha combined with golden flower tea helps increase the nutritional content and enrich the Kombucha tea products on the market, increasing the opportunity to choose and use natural, safe products for consumers.

With the practicality and superiority of Kombucha tea products produced from the yellow camellia tree and the market feasibility of the product, the project "Producing Kombucha tea from the Ba Che yellow camellia tree, promoting the value of precious local medicinal herbs" was honored to be one of 18 winning products of the Startup Competition - Creating solutions for green growth and sustainable development.

With a passion for golden flower tea products, Ly Thi Trang always strives to bring golden flower tea products and products made from golden flower tea to a wide range of customers. The young Dao girl Ly Thi Trang is affirming the role of ethnic minority women in local economic development every day, contributing to preserving and spreading the economic values ​​and identity of the Ba Che highlands to the community.

Officials of the Women's Union of Yen Than commune (Tien Yen district) grasp the situation of preferential loan use for economic development of members. Photo: Hoang Giang

Resolution 06-NQ/TU - creating a strong transformation

Particularly for ethnic minority women, specific target groups and tasks to concretize Resolution No. 06-NQ/TU not only help women improve their production capacity, but also promote changes in awareness of their role in the family and society.

Traditional costume embroidery club of women in Yen Than commune (Tien Yen district).

It can be seen that after 5 years of implementing Resolution No. 06-NQ/TU dated May 17, 2021 of the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee, the lives of ethnic minority women in the area have had many positive changes. Significantly improving and enhancing the quality of people's lives; by the end of 2024, the average income per capita in 67 communes and towns in ethnic minority, mountainous, border and island areas of the province will reach 83.79 million VND/person/year (an increase of 40.09 million VND/person compared to 2020).

Women of Dai Duc commune (Tien Yen district) participate in traditional ethnic games.

Thanks to many support policies, thousands of ethnic minority women not only have a stable place to live but also gradually rise up to take control of their lives. Many livelihood models for women such as growing fruit trees, raising livestock, developing community tourism... have been effectively implemented, helping women increase their income and sustainably reduce poverty. Not only improving their economy, ethnic minority women are also given the opportunity to learn a trade, access medical and educational services, and gradually affirm their role in the family and community. The journey of change for ethnic minority women is still ongoing. With the attention of the Party, the State and the unique policies of Quang Ninh province along with the spirit of self-reliance, many ethnic minority women have been and are continuing to write the story of escaping poverty and rising up to take control of their lives.

Hoai Minh

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/hanh-trinh-vuon-xa-cua-phu-nu-dan-toc-thieu-so-3354172.html