On 22–23 September 2015, representatives of the Center for Research and Action for Inclusive Development took part in a training course on “Identifying issues and policy advocacy” and the forum “Give her a chance”
The training course provided knowledge and a strategic approach to policy advocacy.
In Vietnam, individuals and social organisations are beginning to have a greater voice in national decision-making and policy change. In recent years, women’s participation in public debate has tended to increase, but their voices are not always valued as highly as men’s. Women, especially ethnic minority women and women with disabilities, are often under-represented in public debate. Their needs and views have not received due attention. At the forum “Give her a chance”, leaders and officials from more than 20 social organisations, representatives of state agencies, domestic and international organisations, embassies and press agencies shared ideas and experience to improve the lives and status of Vietnamese women.
At the forum, some of the social issues facing Vietnamese women and initiatives to improve them were presented through a short film and sketches proposed and performed by the social organisations themselves.
Also at the forum, many questions were raised for discussion, such as: “Today, the number of women working in the beauty industry is growing, but they still receive little attention, lack skills in communicating with customers, are not safe themselves, are easily abused and can contract infectious diseases. Meanwhile their income is very low, even though they beautify society, they are stigmatised, and men always hold prejudices and do not want to marry these women… Through the WILL project, we hope women will receive more attention so that they have a voice and more opportunities in life…”. (Ms. Do Thi Thanh Nhan, Centre for Research and Action for Community, under the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations).
Ms. Phan Kim Thoa, Deputy Head of the Propaganda Department of the Hoa Binh Provincial Farmers’ Association, said that women’s position in society today has improved, but not significantly. Many people still do not know their legitimate rights, especially women in remote areas and ethnic minorities. Through the forum, we hope to send a bigger message: “Give women their legitimate rights”, not just an opportunity. Through the mass media, Ms. Kim Thoa hopes women will learn about their rights and gradually improve their position in society.
The forum was an initiative of the project “Improving the lives and leadership capacity of Vietnamese women” (Vietnam WILL), funded by the US Department of State. Together with two social organisations – the Centre for Sustainable Development Studies (CSDS) and the Center for Research and Action for Inclusive Development (IDEA) – and Kenan, it carried out capacity-building activities for social organisations on how to identify issues to be addressed, engage with communities, hold dialogues and advocate effectively for women and girls, implemented over two years to build the capacity of social and public organisations to participate in policy advocacy to meet women’s needs in health, education, disability and economic development.
ANH NGUYEN