Some news from the Gathering among the examplary presidents of local women’s unions

The delegates were so interested in discussing those tasks, particularly o­n task 2 “Law advice, social criticism and monitoring of the implementation of law and policies o­n gender equality” and task 5 “WU’s institutional development”.

Re. task 2, the delegates said that their local WUs had been actively developing this task through the implementation of the Government Resolution 19 regulating the responsibility of Governmental administrative bodies at all levels to ensure the WUs’ participation in governance; monitoring supportive projects under the Government Program 135; providing consultations; addressing complaints; protecting women’s rights; and organizing legal training and communication campaigns…. Also, the delegates shared their experiences and good practices in implementing the tasks including well understanding of Government’s policies and women’s concerns as well as better cooperation with relevant bodies/agencies to run training, providing legal advice with short and easy understandable contents under various ways (legal support club, door to door communication, etc.). o­ne of the good lessons learnt from the discussion is to develop local networks involving head of women groups to timely find out the problems at their places.

When discussing “WU’s institutional development”, the delegates shared their experience o­n attracting members, particularly the old, the youth, and how to collect the member fee effectively…The participants agreed that WUs need to care for women’s living conditions, improving WUs’ performance such as providing credits for women, organizing contests, setting up women worker clubs, etc.

Sharing experiences o­n this job, Ms. Nguyen Thi Nguyet, WU’s President in Luong Son, Yen Lap, Phu Tho told that her WU has already set up 14 clubs and worked with the Social and Policy Bank to provide loans for women to do business with the total amount of 5 billion VND. Therefore, their members are increasing yearly (e.g.: by 58 members in 2007 and 74 o­nes in 2008).

Through the seminars, the delegates have contributed several good experiences, ideas and practices which enable the VWU to work out good and timely directions to fulfill the Women’s Union Resolution X.