Update on the project "I am strong" - October 2020

30/10/2020

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Last weekend, on October 25, VSF had a group meeting with the female workers participating in the "I am strong" initiative in Ngoc Lac district, Thanh Hoa province.

This meeting was an opportunity for these groups to review collected information and complete the framework “Situation - Consequences - Causes - Solutions” as part of their current research. There are three co-research groups which focus on: “Reproductive health” (Ngoc Lac town), “Nutrition for young children” (Ngoc Lac town); and“Education for adolescents” (Hung Son Hamlet, Ngoc Lac district).

In addition, at the meeting, these 3 groups actively discussed and came up with practical solutions and recommendations for stakeholders (factories, schools, the Women's Union, local government, families and even themselves) to address their concerns in the research. In particular, suggestions from “Education for adolescents”’s group research advised parents to talk to children more frequently with an open mind and calmness. Meanwhile, research on “Nutrition for young children” emphasized the importance of organizing more extra-curricular activities at school to keep the children active and healthy. Research of "Reproductive health" group offered cooperation with the Women's Union to organize seminars on reproductive health to women of reproductive age.

Before their research results are revealed on the final presentation day, participants of the “I am strong” initiative will be joining a seminar on the Labor Code on November 1. This is an opportunity for these female workers to seek for answers of the questions related to their group's research and to gain more knowledge about Labour policies and laws.

The project’s meeting ended with the game "Finding meaning by drawing a card" where participants were encouraged to retain their “resilience”, “determination”, “passion”, “strength”,... as the initiative progresses.

Ms. N shared: "Thank you - the project organisers and my team - for giving me a really meaningful event."

In addition, Ms. L. said at the end of the event: "I feel really happy and appreciate both the organisers and other initiatives participants for giving me a lot of knowledge through our regular meetings".

With the aim to enhance the welfare and improve working conditions for female workers in Thanh Hoa, Long An, Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City through the development of their confidence, leadership skills and knowledge, CARE International in Vietnam co-implements the "I am Strong” initiative with the Women's Union of Thanh Hoa province; the Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment (iSEE); the Centre for Community Health Research and Support (CCHS); Dong Nai Legal Aid Center and For Vietnamese Stature Foundation.

Let us take a look at some memorable moments during the meeting: