Remark by President of the Vietnam Women’s Union at the VWU’s 75th Anniversary celebration (20/10/1930 - 20/10/2005)

Distinguished leaders ofthe Party, the State and the Vietnam Fatherland’s Front,

Distinguishedveteran revolutionaries and Vietnam heroic mothers,

Distinguished participants and international guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear all sisters,

In the atmosphere of celebrating historical events, with the great delight of our people throughout the country to the success of the 7^th National Emulation Congress, 995^th anniversary of Thang Long - Ha Noi and joining the emulation spirit by all strata of women in the country to celebrate the foundation of the Vietnam Women's Union; today, in Hanoi capital, the National Vietnam Women's Union is solemnly organizingthis meeting to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of the Vietnam Women's Union (VWU)(20/10/1930-20/10/2005).

On behalf of the VWU Executive Committee, I warmly welcome and sincerely thank leaders of the Party, the State and the Fatherland’s Front, veteran revolutionaries, Vietnam heroic mothers, and leaders from various ministries, mass organizations and Hanoi People's Committee. We warmly welcome VWU leaders of all generations, international guests, delegates and sisters at this solemn meeting and would like to extend to all staff members and women throughout the country the best sentiments and wishes.

Distinguished guests,

Dear sisters,

Our history of nation foundation and defense is a long road full of hardship and challenges yet glorious with brilliant victories. In this process, Vietnamese people including women have been trained and have grown up, asserting fine virtues of the nation. Based o­n the historical reality of the nation, while introducing the Marxism - Leninism to Vietnam, President Ho Chi Minh was fully aware of the great role of the Vietnamese women. He wrote in his work titled “The revolutionary path” (1927): “Vietnam Revolution should involve women in order to succeed”.

After the Party foundation (3/2/1930), the Party established the women’s organization which bore various names through various periods: Women Liberation Association, Anti-imperialist Women’s Association, Women’s Democratic Association, the National Salvation Women’s Federation and the Vietnam Women’s Union. The 20 October 1930 is considered as VWU foundation day. Since that date, the Vietnamese women have had theirown organization and its special status in the nation’s history.

Distinguished guests,

Dear sister,

Grown up in the national revolutionary movement, Vietnamese women have set many bright examples about the loyalty to the Fatherland, the courageous sacrifice spirit, the determination to protect the Party and the Revolution even in the most hazardous circumstances. Sisters such as Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Vo Thi Sau, Mac Thi Buoi, Bui Thi Cuc, Hoang Ngan, Le Thi Rieng, Nguyen Thi Thap, Nguyen Thi Dinh and many other heroines and revolutionary martyrs are always among the most brilliant children of the Vietnamese nation. Their names are engraved in the glorious revolutionary history of the nation and always remain attached to the Vietnamese women’s movement. Vietnamese women are proud of millions of mothers who have nurtured and brought up generations of heroes, who have dedicated their beloved children to nation - those who make magnificent victories and glorified the country.President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: “With their heartfelt efforts, our women - both young and old - have built and woven the country of Vietnam to make it even more beautiful”.

Distinguished guests,

Dear sisters,

Promoting the tradition of the Vietnamese women as “Heroic, dauntless, faithful, resourceful” people, entering the renovation of the country and under the leadership of the Party, the VWU has quickly renewed its operation contents and formality in accordance to the tasks of the new period, responding to the urgent needs and demands of women strata. Emulation movements “Mutual assistance for economic development, building the country with thrift”, “Women as active learners, creative workers and builders of happy family”, “Women capable of both social and house work” and other key programs of the VWU have attracted the participation of women throughout the country and brought about practical benefits to society. Especially, women have been very active in poverty alleviation programs such as “A saving day for poor women”, “Credit-saving women’s groups” or mutual assistance by labor, breeds, credit and production know how. Up to now, 5.5 million women have been able to borrow 10,000 billion VND for poverty alleviation, of which 5,164 billion VND from the trust fund of the Bank of Social Policies which account for nearly half of Bank’s outstanding loans for the poor and over 3,000 billion VND as non-collateral loans from the Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

From this fighting against poverty and backwardness, many women have become bright examples in their work, getting out of poverty and becoming better off and well off thanks to their diligence, talents and intelligence. At the same time, many women have become capable scientists, managers, teachers and doctors... We are also proud of the exemplary women, who join the leadership of the Party and the State of all levels at an increasing prevalence, representing the “Dynamic, creative, faithful, resourceful” women in the renovation period.

Distinguished guests,

Dear sisters,

With significant achievements and practical contributions by the women’s movement and the VWU to the Revolution over the past 75 years, the Union and its cadres have received many precious awards from the Party and the State, namely:

- Golden Star Order.

- Ho Chi Minh Order.

- The Order of Bronze Wall, first-class.

- 48 Independent Orders.

- 389 Labor Orders.

- 886 Merit Certificates by the Prime Minister.

- 26 Emulation Flags by the Government.

- The title “Labor Heroes” granted to a collective and an individual; the title “national role models of the Renovation period” granted to 21 individuals.

Distinguished guest,

Dear sisters,

The development of the VWU and the proud achievements by the women’s movement over the past 75 years are attributed to the efforts of generations of women cadres, VWU members and women strata; the attention of the Party and the State; active and effective cooperation and assistance by various ministries and sectors throughout the country; especially to the Vietnam heroic mothers, heroes, revolutionary martyrs, VWU veterans who have devoted their life to the Revolution, to women’s emancipation and the VWU development.

On behalf of the 10^th VWU Executive Committee, we would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to the Vietnam heroic mothers, generations of VWU cadres, all members and women strata who have been dedicated to make great contribution to thedevelopment of women’s movement and the VWU, enriching the glorious tradition of the Vietnamese women.

At this solemn meeting, o­n behalf of all women throughout the country, we would like to express our great gratitude to the Party and the State for their attention to women’s advancement and the VWU development. We would like to thank the Vietnam Fatherland’s Front, ministries, sectors, provinces and cities and mass organizations for their cooperation, support and assistance to the Women’s Union of all levels over the past years.

On this occasion, we would also like to thank our international friends for their valuable support and cooperation to the VWU.

Distinguished guest,

Dear sisters,

To the requirements of the national industrialization and modernization, the women’s movement and VWU operation at all levels are facing with many difficulties and challenges. Poverty, backwardness, underemployment, inadequate education and professional expertise; social evils such as drug abuse, prostitution, HIV/AIDs, trafficking in women and children, are big concerns of the society, creating gross obstacles to women’s advancement and development. It requires the VWU to furtherrenovate its operation contents and formality, to actively participate in drafting and making recommendations o­n women cadre issues, laws and policies o­n gender equality in accordance to the new development period of the country.

VWU is to proactively recommend eligible women candidates to the Party Executive Committee thus contributing to the success of the Party congress at various levels and the 10^th National Party Congress; to push up the drafting of the Gender Equality Law to be approved by the National Assembly in 2006. It is to organize Women’s Congress at various levels in 2006 and to prepare for the 10^th National Women’s Congress in the 1^st quarter of 2007. It should also continue to launch emulation movements to fully promote potentials and creativity of women strata; contributing to successful implementation of socio-economic development target of the country;contributing to social security and defense; actively participating in the strengthening of the Party and the Government.

In this solemn celebration, o­n behalf of the VWU Executive Committee, I call upon all VWU staff, members and women strata throughout the country to uphold the glorious traditions of the VWU and the Vietnamese women, to totally unite, to bring into full play our efforts and to be fully committed to the successful national industrialization and modernization for the goal of “Prosperous people, strong country and equitable, democratic and civilized society”.

Distinguished guest,

Dear sisters,

Once again, we would like to thank the Party and the State leaders, veterans revolutionaries, Vietnam heroic mothers, leaders from central ministries, sectors and from Hanoi city. We are thankful to the leaders from the Vietnam Fatherland’s Front, mass organizations and international guests. We are thankful to all delegates, representatives and mass media journalists who attend this event.

We wish the Vietnam heroic mothers to have a good health and always remain bright examples for various women generations.

Best wishes of good health, happiness and success to you all.

Thank you very much for your attention./.