On the afternoon of August 30, 2007, VWU coordinated with Helpage International (HAI) to give this money to representatives of three provincial Women’s Unions.

On the afternoon of 31 August, Mme. Ha Thi Khiet headed the delegation of VWU leaders and cadres to pay a working visit to the Social Policy Bank. Receiving the delegation were Mr. Ha Dan Huan, President of the Board of Directors, and Mme. Ha Thi Hanh, General Director, as well as many of the bank’s cadres.

On 4th September, the Central Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) hold a Press Conference at its head office on the Tenth National Women’s Congress to be held soon in the 1st week of October 2007.

From 26 – 29 June 2007, in the Center for Women and Development, Hanoi, Ethnics and Religions Department (the Central Union) organized training for 120 Union’s staff from 12 provinces, 86 districts in Northern mountainous areas

To enhance the capacity of VWU’s senior officers in the period of widely and deeply international integration after Vietnam has become an official member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Central Vietnam Women’s Union together with the Israel Embassy in Vietnam and the International Cooperation Center of the Israel Foreign Affair Department organized 2 training courses on “Leadership, Management and the Media” in Ho Chi Minh City (from 30/7 to 3/8/2007) and in Hanoi (from 6-10/8/2007).

On the occasion of 15th anniversary of TYM Fund (1992-2007), many braches have organized an wide range of ebullient and practical activities starting in Me Linh branch (Vinh Phuc province), then in Quang Xuong (Thanh Hoa ), Kim Dong (Hung Yen) and will be ending in Nghi Loc branch (Nghe An province) on August 31st.

Within the framework of the official visit to Viet Nam, in the afternoon of 31 July, the delegation of the Communist Party of Spain headed by Mr. Jose Luis Centella, member of Standing Committee, Central Secretary, Head of the Central Foreign Affairs Department visited the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU).

The trafficking of women and children within the Greater Mekong Sub-region was at the top of the agenda at a forum in Hanoi on July 12-13.

From 7 to 10 June, the Vietnam Women’s Union organized a training seminar for more than 70 participants who are speakers from 31 Northern Provincial and Municipal Women’s Unions. Taking part in training are experts from international organizations and a number of related ministries and branches.

Bac Ninh Women’s Union has organized the review conference on 3-year conducting entrusted loan service with the Social Policy Bank for poor households and other beneficiaries in 2004-2006 phase.

In the cause of industrialization and modernization, with the goal of basically turning Vietnam into a modern and industrial country by 2020 (as mentioned in the 10th National Party’s Congress), many provinces and cities have rolled out “red carpet” for investors, forming dynamic industrial zones, bringing a break-through economic developing speed for the province.

On 21st May, 2007, Mme. Ha Thi Khiet, Chairperson of the NCFAW, President of the VWU warmly received Mme. Anne Stenhammer- State Secretary of the Kingdom of Norway. The two sides exchanged information on gender equality, especially women’s participation in politics.

After nearly 3 years working in Vietnam, the United State Ambassador, Mr. Michael W. Marine, visited the VWU for the first time. Mrs. Ha Thi Khiet, member of Central Communist Party Committee, VWU’s President, and Chairwoman of NCFAW welcomed him.

With 75% of the population living in the rural area and working in agriculture sector,

After 3 years implementing entrusted loans for poor households as signed between VWU and Social Policy Bank (SPB) in Bac Kan in 2003 – 2006 period, the total amount of all kinds of entrusted loans managed by provincial WU at all levels is over 122 billion VND, providing for 21,758 WU’s members.

In the morning of 23 April, 2007 the 4th World Congress of Rural Women with the theme “United in our diversity: Working together towards the total emancipation of rural women from poverty and hunger” was held by Ministry of Agriculture and Land Affairs of South Africa at the International Convention Centre in Durban.

On 14 March 2007, at VWU’s Head Quarter, VWU signed an Agreement on the project between Vietnam Women’s Union and Saving Banks Foundation for International Cooperation of Germany/Sparkasse Essen Bank (Germany) and CARD (Philippines)

In preparation for the 12th National Assembly Election, the Standing Committee of Dong Nai WU has worked out a plan to guide WU of all levels in the province in organizing communication activities for the 12th National Assembly Election.

This program was implemented effectively under the direction of the Women’s Union at all levels in Nam Dinh province in term 2001 – 2006. This helps to reduce the rate of poor household to 11.2% in the whole province.

In the morning April 6th 2007 the National Committee for the Advancement of Women in coordination with the Central Commission for Culture and Ideology organized Seminar on “The 12th National Assembly Election and Gender Equality”, many journalists in Hanoi and central news agencies attended.

At the end of 2003, the Hanoi City Women’s Union signed a joint document with the Social Policy Bank on conducting entrusted loan service for poor households and beneficiaries.

With the agreement of 73% deputies of National Assembly, the 11th National Assembly approved the Law on Gender Equality at its 10th Meeting which shows the interest of the highest power authority of the State on gender equality and development of women in Vietnam.

In the morning of 4th March, in the Hanoi children’s cultural Palace, the VWU together with the Hanoi City Women’s Union organized a solemn meeting and the City women’s Cultural day to celebrate 97th the International Women’s Day 8 March, the 1967th year of Hai Ba Trung’s rising and welcome the 14th Congress of the Women’s International Democratic Federation.

VWU marked the 97th International Women’s Day March 8th and 1967th anniversary of an uprising led by Hai Ba Trung (the two Trung ladies) at the Center of Women’s Development

In the evening of March 8th, at National Conference Centre, in celebration of the 97th of International Women’s Day March 8th, the Vietnam Women’s Union, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) coordinated with the Vietnam Television to organize a ceremony to mark the International Women’s Day (March 8th) and to award the Golden Rose Prize for Excellent Business Women.

Bac Yen district (Son La province) has 7 ethnic groups, of which Mong people consist of 50% of the population.

In the morning 2nd February, the 2006 Review Conference on disbursement of entrusted loans for poor household and beneficiaries was organized at the VWU’s Headquarter. VWU’s Vice President Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa, member of Central Committee of the Party, Vice President Nguyen Thi Kim Lien, General Director of Social Policy Bank Ha Thi Hanh, Deputy General Director of Social Policy Bank Nguyen Van Tan, as well as staff of VWU and Social Policy Bank attended the meeting

OUTCOMES OF 11th WOMEN LEADERS’ NETWORK MEETING AT THE 13th MEETING OF APEC MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR SMEs

28 – 29th Sept. Hanoi Vietnam

“Towards a Dynamic Community: Enhancing the Competitiveness of Women’s Business for Sustainable Development and Prosperity”

Distinguished guests,