My First Blog Post

“With their heartfelt efforts, our women – both young and old – have built and woven the country of Vietnam to make it even more beautiful” – President Ho Chi Minh

I would like to start my journey with the popular saying of our precious President Ho Chi Minh (1890 – 1969) that was saved to remind our peoples for the great contribution of Vietnamese women in the wartime and in the Renovation (Doi Moi) and Development process.

It is my passion to work for our women rights since I recognized how disadvantaged they are to struggle with the development in Vietnam. As a developing country, Vietnam is in the process to complete the legal and welfare services to serve its people. Also, with the support of the international community, Vietnam currently dare to confront challenges to implement human rights, particularly women right.

My Blog will review the process of my approach to one of the greatest services for Vietnamese women, Centre for Women and Development (CWD) – one subordinated organisation of Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) with its mandate to support women in comprehensive capacities building in the process of international intergration.

According to National Vietnamese Women’s Congress XI (2012-2017), CWD inaugurated the Information and Counselling Centre for Women (ICCW) as best practice of promoting gender equality and women’s rights through operation of information and counselling services for women. Since 2014, there has not been yet any assessment for ICCW’s services. To replicate ICCW model in VWU’s system, it should evaluate its impacts to targeted groups in adaption of contemporary situation. Therefore, my proposal expects to assist CWD Directory Board by suggesting a plan for their assessment in the future by examining the existing ICCW services, and in reflection of international development discourse to identify gaps in implementation.

My motivations for the proposal

As my early desire to work for women, since I worked for CWD, I has gained more knowledge on gender inequality to women’s development. Plus, what I perceive from International Development (ID) course will urge me to work more for women’s rights. Gender inequality in Vietnam context typically originates from Confucian values. Significantly, patriarchy system dominates in the culture and public awareness. However, Vietnamese history witnessed myriad of successful women cases overcoming gendered hindrances, then prove their capacities and potentials with persuasive achievements. I believe that once women are empowered, they will gain confidence, self-confirmation for success.

In previous time, I worked for CWD – VWU for over one decade. There, I gained much knowledge and skills to work with/for Vietnamese women. The placement brings me again to work with them. One part of their mandates will be reflected through my journey.

Last but not least, as a development practitioner, I wish to help the organisation by my international development knowledge to work for Vietnamese women. And my journey started….