Creating favourable conditions for women to access resources, enhance their capabilities and fulfill their role in socio-eco development is an important task of the Dak Lak Provincial Women’s Union.

The Women’s Union (WU) at all levels has prioritised improving women’s livelihoods, particularly by providing loans, developing technical training and transfers, developing livelihood models while facilitating business connections aimed at improving production efficiency.

In rural areas and ethnic minority communities, numerous women continue to face difficulties due to a lack of capital, limited technical knowledge combined with unstable markets. The WU at all levels encourages members to capitalise on their existing advantages, strengthen production linkages and share experience.

Women in Lien Son Lak Commune introducing traditional pottery products, helping preserve the craft while developing livelihoods.

In Suoi Trai Commune, where most women engage in farming combined with livestock raising, the commune WU has encouraged them to participate in models involving pooled capital and labour exchange to support one another with resources and labour. According to Ms. So Thi Ly, Chairwoman of the commune WU, the aim is to help women change their mindset, take the initiative in production, realise their potential as well as adopt appropriate methods to improve household economies, rather than relying on external assistance.

In ethnic minority areas, development opportunities are also linked to preserving cultural identity and promoting indigenous knowledge. In Duong Bac Hamlet (Lien Son Lak Commune), Ms. H’He Bkrong has brought local women together to sustain the traditional pottery craft, while seeking ways to introduce products on digital platforms and promote experiential tourism.

The province currently has 2,075 women-led economic development models involving 4,640 members. Beyond generating income coupled with employment, these models enable members to establish links and share experience, gradually addressing fragmented production.

Upholding its role as a bridge

Following the administrative reorganisation, the Provincial WU now has 104 grassroots organisations, with more than 360,000 members. According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Thai, Chairwoman of the Provincial WU, since the two-tier local government model came into operation, the WU has continued to review and adjust its working methods while strengthening its officials’ skills in communication, mobilisation combined with digital technology.

The Provincial Women’s Union supporting members in turning start-up ideas into reality and developing household economies.

Alongside its efforts to improve women’s livelihoods, the WU continues to represent and protect women’s legitimate rights together with interests through supervision, social criticism and participation in policymaking. Proactively identifying issues arising at the grassroots level provides the Union with a stronger basis for making recommendations while proposing solutions concerning women, children and families.

Amid digital transformation, enhancing the capabilities of WU officials must go hand in hand with expanding women’s access to information, knowledge along with new opportunities. For women engaged in economic activities, skills in product promotion, market access and technology application are increasingly essential. For ethnic minority women, promoting indigenous knowledge, preserving traditional crafts while forging links with tourism also open up new development opportunities.

Comrade Y Giang Gry Nie K’nong, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and President of the provincial Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee, emphasised that WU organisations at all levels must continue to innovate their operation content coupled with methods, enhance the official capacity and support members in accessing technology while acquiring essential knowledge as well as skills. More importantly, the WU must serve as a bridge enabling women to confidently seize opportunities, realise their potential, affirm their role and proactively drive change within their families alongside communities.

Translated by KHUONG THAO