Community women gathering for solidarity & development” is the content of communication activity, joining the Women's Global Strike, on the occasion of International Women's Day on 8th March 2020. The activity, sponsored by the Asia-Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD), was held in Gio Linh town, Gio Linh district, Quang Tri province under the collaboration between the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) and Gio Linh Town People's Committee. There were nearly 160 women participants from 9 project communes.
This was an opportunity for all participants to look back on the development and change of the Vietnamese women in general and women in the rural community of Gio Linh in particular. They discussed and shared about the norms and prejudices about inequality against women and got to know about women's issues under the Vietnamese Constitution and the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
+ Ms. Pham Thi Mien, who is from Gio Hai commune, shared: “I am very excited because the activity is so exciting and necessary for women. Regarding the story of my life, I have to say that I has been lucky so far. Without being influenced by the norms of male chauvinism. I am free to decide for myself and my life! "
+ Ms. Le Thi Thuy – a woman with disability from Trung Son Commune: “I find attending the event exiting, which makes me feel more confident. When people are just at home and without connecting with the community, self-esteem or depression becomes depressive. When I attend the project, it is a great chance for me to participate in the activities like this which can help me become more positive and dare to dream, etc. Regarding gender barriers or gender discrimination against women, I have not been influenced. When I was young, I evacuated to the North during the time of war. Although, life was not the same as it is now, I was not discriminated, prejudiced or tormented in both my family and society.”
+ Ms. Tran Thi Thom - from Gio Chau commune: “I received the notice of the event for a few days. Due to my child’s health condition, there was not time to prepare “ao dai” as others. However, I am so happy to be here, everyone is beautiful and bright. In regard to my life, since I was young until I got married and I had baby, I have never been discriminated against by my family or my neighbor. Although, my first child’s health is not good but everyone loves her, the people in the village also enthusiastically help and no one spread rumors.”
Participants also shared about gender equality which is considered as an important criterion to evaluate the development of a society and a country. It is goal of development and the factor that enhances women's ability to contribute to the stable and sustainable development of the country.
"My desire is that gender equality is realized and reflected in all areas of social life."
"Men have to share housework with women and women can also go out to work to earn money."
"As a woman who suffers everything, she must be empowered to ask for equality”.
"I want women to be strong and assertive."
"It is necessary to eliminate gender prejudice. Boys and girls are equal"
"I will change in my family first, women have the right to decide, not just men."
Women's rights, gender equality are a basic content of human rights which shows great human values as well as political value and respectable legal values. These have been shown by almost members in the end of the event expressing a desire to change for the further development of women.
Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD)
No.31, Alley 19 Kim Dong Street, Hoang Mai District, Ha Noi
Phone: +84 24 3943 6676/78 | Fax: +84 24 3943 6449
