Meeting honours exemplary women in poverty reduction

Addressing the event, Mr Truong Tan Sang, Politburo member and permanent member of the Party’s Secretariat, highlighted the role of Vietnamese women in the struggle for national independence, construction and defence.

“They are bright examples shown by their in sacrifices for the homeland and for their families,” he said, adding that “they are good citizens and devoted wives or sisters in overcoming losses and challenges, becoming a strong support of their families.”

“The silent devotions of Vietnamese women have promoted the glorious tradition and the bright values of Vietnam,” he stressed.

During wartime, these women provided strong support to their sons and husbands to fight against foreign aggressors o­n the battlefields. When peace was restored, they acted as nurses and mothers taking care of invalids and their children.

With the support of the Women’s Unions at different levels nationwide, many women in priority policy beneficiaries have shown great efforts in overcoming daily difficulties, caring for their parents-in-law and husbands, educating their children and building happiness for their families.

Among those exemplary women is Mrs Tran Thi Thanh Liem from Dak Mil town, Dak Mil district of Dak Nong province. She and her husband were ex-soldiers and were both exposed to Agent Orange. Four out of their seven children were affected by the dioxin and then two died while two others suffer from mental disorders. She has to care for the whole family.

Mrs Do Thi Cong from central Quang Nam province has experienced numerous difficulties taking care of her husband – a paralysed war veteran, two mothers and three small children, including an Agent Orange-infected child. Meanwhile, Doan Thi Xa from northern Ha Tay province ignored her family’s prejudice and married an invalid who was visually impaired and deaf. Thanks to her hard work, the couple has now built a large concrete house, which is filled by the smiles of their children.

With unceasing efforts, many other women of the same plight have not o­nly escaped poverty, but also become well off with their annual incomes ranging from VND 50 million to VND 100 million.

According to a report presented at the ceremony, Vietnam Women’s Union chapters across the country have actively responded to the “Helping each other develop household economies,” “Building Houses of Gratitude” and “Taking care of Heroic Mothers” campaigns.

Over the past five years, the union has taken care of more than 2,100 Heroic Mothers and mothers of invalids, raised about VND 351 billion to repair and build nearly 2,500 houses, provided loans for more than 300,000 families of war martyrs and invalids and presented 30,000 saving books worth VND 12 billion. The union has also presented gifts worth nearly VND 44 billion to priority policy beneficiaries o­n national holidays and anniversaries.