(VOVWORLD) - Starting this year, October will be observed by Ho Chi Minh City as a special month of action to facilitate women's movements. It aims to further involve people in patriotic emulation movements toward improving the quality of family and community life.
 A HCM city women is given non-refundable capital to do business. (Photo: sggp.org.vn) |
“I’ve been loaned 1,200 USD. When I was struggling, I got help to do some trading. The Women's Union offers loans at low interest rates.”
“I’m very happy about the help I’ve received. My mother died of COVID-19. I'm living with my aunt and don't have a father. A scholarship helped me continue my studies so I can have a better life in the future.”
That was Thach Thi Huynh Linh, a cloth seller at Thiec market in District 11, and Tran Bao Nhi, a 9th-grader at Trần Cao Vân middle school, who received support from their local Women’s Union.
During this month of action the District 11 Women's Union has organized a number of programs: a free medical checkup with oriental medicine therapy for its members, gifts for children orphaned by COVID-19, health insurance cards, scholarships, means of livelihood, and interest-free loans for poor and near-poor women. These programs were worth nearly 53,000 USD.
In Binh Tan district, the special month for women inspired several projects, said Huynh Dang Ha Tuyen, Chairwoman of the district Women's Union, adding many community activities have been organized.
“We have mobilized social resources to repair the houses of near-poor families, provide a means of livelihood to disadvantaged women, hold a piggy bank breaking event, and exchange old books for trees,” said Tuyen.
 District 4 women prepare free meals for elderly and lonely women. (Photo: sggp.org.vn) |
In District 6, more than 200 women members were trained in communications skills. The district Women’s Union held a video-making contest to encourage its members to share inspirational stories with the community. An award ceremony will be held on November 11.
Nguyen Huynh Nhu Oanh, Chairwoman of the District 6 Women's Union, said they plan to hold a beauty contest for local women and emulation movements to promote the image of HCMC’s dynamic, creative women.
The Ho Chi Minh City Women's Union disseminated Party guidelines and State policies, taught skills that address the safety of women and children, and mobilized resources to improve women’s social security.
Nguyen Tran Phuong Tran, Chairwoman of the municipal Women's Union, said, “Depending on the conditions in each locality, we devise a program to care for vulnerable women, women in difficult circumstances, and policy families."
Ho Chi Minh City has also promoted environmental protection activities, increased the monitoring of gender inequality and domestic violence, and improved community health by encouraging women to practice some sport on a daily basis.
10 outstanding female entrepreneurs will be honored next March at the "Outstanding Female Entrepreneurs of Ho Chi Minh City" award ceremony.
This award aims to motivate women to participate in national economic development, said Vo Hong Mai, the development team leader of the municipal Women Entrepreneurs’ Association.
“The award honors Ho Chi Minh City women who have contributed to the city’s social security and economic activities. They have become role models for young women to follow to make our city better,” Mai noted.