Female ethnic minority intellectual

The team of ethnic minority female intellectuals (EM) plays an important role in socio-economic development as well as the fight to eliminate gender prejudice. However, to be able to join this group, what must EM women do? PV of PNVN Newspaper had an interview with Master Vien Thi Mai Lan, Head of the Mass Mobilization Committee of Quan Ba ​​District, Ha Giang Province.

– It can be seen that behind the success of ethnic minority women is an admirable and respectful effort. To achieve the success you have now, surely your path of pursuing knowledge and education must have gone through many difficulties and challenges?

I myself am an ethnic minority woman, born and raised in the mountainous border district of Quan Ba, Ha Giang province - one of the poorest and most disadvantaged districts in the country, with limited economic conditions, facilities, and education quality. This is also the biggest difficulty and barrier in the process of learning and pursuing knowledge.

Besides, there are also barriers to gender equality. For us ethnic minorities, the majority of us believe that girls do not need to study much, just need to know how to read and write, then get married and have children. Or the issue of "ethnic prejudice" has also significantly affected the process of integration and development on the path of learning and pursuing knowledge for myself.

In 2014, I decided to attend graduate school. At that time, the number of people with master's degrees in the area was very rare, and there were almost no women with master's degrees. There were no classes in the province, so if you wanted to study, you had to go all the way to Hanoi. At that time, some of my uncles told me that why should a girl study, taking care of the family was the most important thing. Some of my neighbors sarcastically said that a girl who wanted to study would do nothing. At that time, I thought a lot and felt a little uncertain about my decision.

– To become a female intellectual who actively contributes to society, how did you overcome those difficulties, remove barriers, rise up and succeed as you are now?

Master Vien Thi Mai Lan, Head of the Mass Mobilization Committee of Quan Ba ​​district, Ha Giang province.

During my studies, pursuing my dreams and passion on the path of knowledge, I encountered many difficulties, barriers and prejudices. However, with determination, the desire to improve and enhance my own capacity, along with the desire to contribute a small part to society, I have always tried, tried and convinced my family. After the difficulties and efforts, I feel more supported by my family. I currently have 2 daughters, but my husband and his family do not force me to have another son. I feel that when a woman has knowledge, she will be in control of her own life.

During my time studying at Hanoi National University of Education, it was quite difficult to integrate with my friends at first because of my inferiority complex and shyness as an ethnic minority, living in a mountainous district with many difficulties. However, I always thought: “The more difficult and arduous it is, the more effort and hard work I have to do. Women in the lowlands are good at studying and can do many things like that, I also have to learn from them. If I learn a lot, women in my locality will strive to follow, my children and grandchildren will learn from me, then everyone will have a better and fairer view of women. That is why I always try and strive to improve.

– Can you share more of your own experiences or give some encouragement to young ethnic minority women who want to pursue their dreams and passions on the path of developing their knowledge?

I really admire the female intellectuals who are ethnic minorities who have risen to high positions and made positive contributions to their homeland, country and ethnic minorities such as Ms. Ha Thi Khiet, Ms. Tong Thi Phong... They are shining examples to learn from and follow.

I also always appreciate the saying: “We do not have the right to choose where we are born, but we have the right to decide how we live” and “Knowledge is power”. In life, ethnic minority women will encounter many difficulties and barriers such as: gender prejudice, ethnic prejudice, backward customs, traditions and practices that still exist.

However, today society has a more fair and open view of women in general and ethnic minority women in particular. The Party and State have many mechanisms and policies to support and create conditions for comprehensive development for women.

Therefore, I believe that if each of us ethnic minority women has dreams and aspirations, dares to stand up and fight for equality, eliminate prejudices and always try and strive our best, we will achieve success!

Thank you very much!

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/nu-tri-thuc-dan-toc-thieu-so-manh-me-de-pha-vo-rao-can-20241130183505577.htm