Many innovations in gathering and attracting members

Officials of the Women's Union of Tra Noc ward (right) visit and learn about the lives and production and business situation of members.

In the late afternoon, at Sang Trang market, Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Hieu's grocery stall in area 4, Tra Noc ward, Binh Thuy district is quite crowded with customers. Ms. Hieu shared: “Many years ago, my husband and I worked as workers. When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, we were unemployed so we stayed home to sell groceries. In 2023, with the support of the Association to borrow 50 million VND from the Social Policy Bank, I had capital to invest in more items to sell. Thanks to this business, I earn about 600,000 VND/day, my family's economy is increasingly stable and prosperous."

Ms. Tran Thi Thoan in Area 2, Tra Noc Ward, Binh Thuy District was introduced by the Association to borrow capital to open a glove manufacturing facility. Initially, thanks to an acquaintance's introduction, Ms. Thoan learned the trade at a glove manufacturing company in the Can Tho Export Processing and Industrial Zones. After that, she boldly connected, received products, and taught the trade to some neighboring members. In early 2014, the Women's Union of Tra Noc Ward mobilized the establishment of a glove manufacturing cooperative; at the same time, supported Ms. Thoan to borrow capital to expand production and business. Ms. Thoan shared: “In 2024, the Association introduced me to and supported me with a loan of 90 million VND from the Social Policy Bank. With this money, I invested in building a warehouse and expanding the activities of the glove sewing cooperative. Currently, the group has 12 members. They receive raw materials to make at home and carry out the leather gluing process. On average, each member can glue about 400 sets of products/day, bringing in an income of 3-4 million VND/person/month.”

According to Ms. Le Thi Kieu Nuong, President of the Women's Union of Tra Noc Ward, with the motto "Where there are women, there is the Union", in recent years, the Women's Union of the ward has actively promoted activities to help each other develop the family economy. With a debt balance at the Social Policy Bank of over 24 billion VND, the Women's Union of the ward has currently helped 485 members borrow capital to develop the economy. In addition, the Union maintains the activities of 32 capital contribution groups, 2 women's savings groups, helping many members borrow capital, borrow capital for small business; introducing 220 women to work at companies and factories in the area.

In addition to supporting members in economic development, the Ward Women's Union focuses on building and implementing models that are suitable for the needs and legitimate aspirations of women in each target group. Notably, the Ward Women's Union has coordinated with the Women's Union of the Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue Police Department of Can Tho City Police to establish the model "Safe boarding houses for women and children" in areas 4 and 6. This model gathers female workers working in industrial parks and export processing zones, who are staying in boarding houses to participate in activities. After more than 2 years of implementing the model, the Union has promoted propaganda, helping boarding house owners, women and children staying in boarding houses to raise awareness in complying with the law and maintaining security and order. At the same time, the two units have coordinated to distribute 200 leaflets promoting gender equality; organized lung and breast cancer screening for 242 women staying in boarding houses and people; Donate fire extinguishers and make sure landlords commit to making their houses safe; give gifts to female workers in difficult circumstances; give life jackets and practice exercises for students in difficult circumstances to overcome difficulties and study well...

Along with that, the Ward Women's Union maintains many models and clubs such as: Female workers' club, "Market group 4.0" model for female traders, art clubs in 4 areas, "1+1" model (1 member mobilizes 1 woman to participate in the organization of the Union)... Social security programs launched by the Union: "Free nutritional porridge distribution", "Zero-VND gift stall", "Piggy bank raising to give health insurance", "Godmother"... have spread in the community and received active participation of union members and local women.

Innovation and creativity in activities and effective implementation of campaigns and emulation movements through appropriate models increasingly attract women to participate in the organization. In 2024, the Ward Women's Union developed 250 new members, bringing the total number of members in the ward to 3,715 members active in 4 branches; the membership attraction rate reached 60.78%.

Article and photos: KIEN QUOC

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/nhieu-sang-tao-trong-tap-hop-thu-hut-hoi-vien-a185100.html