ICA-AP Workshop on Enhancing the Role of Women in Cooperative Business

1-4th December 2014, Hanoi, Vietnam

A three days workshop was held in Hanoi attended by 20-25 participants from six countries including Vietnam besides the international participants, the Vice President of Vietnam Cooperative Alliance (VCA), the Director General of VCA and other staffs were also present.

Mrs Savitri Singh, Advisor, Gender Programs and Communication,ICA- AP was the coordinator of the program and she delivered welcome address at the opening ceremony of the workshop.  Mr. Nguyen Dac Thang,  Vice President of VCA delivered inaugural address and welcomed the participants to the workshop.

 Ms. Tran Thu Hang, Vice Director of VCA made a presentation of theme of the workshop ‘ Enhancing the role of women in co-operatives business’. She talked about overall profile of the country, situation of women in Vietnam, their socio economic participation as well as contribution and participation in co-operatives. Mrs Savitiri Singh gave an insight on ‘ Gender integration and situation of women in co-operatives’ in Asia pacific region covering ICA’s initiatives, strategy, programs and future plans for gender mainstreaming in co-operatives. These two introductory presentations from the organiser and the host set the tone of the discussions of the workshop.

The representative from Co-operative Training Institute of Mongolia, Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO)India, and Co-operative College of Malaysia,  National Confederation  of Co-operatives (NATCCO) and National  Coop Federation & Development Center( VICTO) from Philippines , All China Federation of Supply & Marketing Cooperatives (ACFSMC) China and Micro Finance and Community Development Institute (MACDI) of Vietnam  made detailed presentation on situation of women’s empowerment and their participation as workers and leaders and contribution in the national economy as well as in the co-operatives. The members discussed about the activities and plans of their co-operatives for gender mainstreaming. The participants ware curious about the business activities of the participating co-operatives and lengthy discussions took place  on the presentations made at  the  information sharing session. The participants asked questions and expressed opinions during open session for question and answer after each business session. The day long information sharing session ended in the evening and a formal closing ceremony was held. The Mr. Thang, Vice President of VCA and Ms.Savitri Singh delivered closing speeches.

Next day the participants visited the Minh Dhuontg Textile Co-operative  in the Bac Ninh province  of Vietnam.

Study Visit to Minh Dhuontg Textile Cooperatives

This textile co-operative was started in 2012 by Ms Vu Thi Duyen, the current Chairperson of the co-operative. It is into the business of manufacturing readymade garments. There are 4 male members out of total 25 members in the co-operative. There are 3 Board of Directors including chairperson, vice chair and the secretary and all are women. The co-operative is willing to admit new members. The membership fee is 10 – 15 Million Dong9 Vietnam currency) and members are getting yearly dividend besides other services of the co-operatives.

Garment factory at Minh Dhuontg Textile Cooperatives

The co-op was started with 10 members and five machines and a share capital of 500 million Dong collected from members. Now, within two years, they have 25 members and 25 machines. The funding came as soft loan from VCA through its Provincial Cooperative Alliance office (PCA). The loan amount was 300 million Dong. All the 25 members of the coop are the regular workers at the tailoring/manufacturing centre and they also employ 35 part time workers. The co-operative members received training from the Ministry of Industry and working capital of 900 million Dong loan from PCA and rest of the funds were mobilised from members. Now this cooperative is generating 30-35 million Dong net profits per month. This income has considerably improved the standard of living of the members and their family. The members are also farmers and get leave to attend to farming work from time to time.