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| Education expert To Thuy Diem Quyen believes that if Vietnamese women are given the opportunity to study and access technology, they can absolutely become a core force in sustainable development. (Photo: NVCC) |
In the dynamic development of the digital age, Vietnamese women today are not only the “fire keepers” in the family, but also create knowledge, inspire and contribute to shaping the future of the country. In any field, from economics , education to science and technology - women's mark is clearly shown through creativity, courage and compassion.
Speaking with The Gioi & Viet Nam Newspaper, Ms. To Thuy Diem Quyen, education expert and capacity development consultant, founder and CEO of InnEdu, and one of the 20 inspirational women of 2021 selected by Forbes Vietnam, shared her perspective on Vietnamese women of the new era. According to her, they are people who are confidently taking control of their lives, overcoming limits and contributing to continuing the beautiful story of gender equality, sustainable development and aspirations to reach national level.
Creators, bravery and humanity
Madam, in the current social context, when the role of women is increasingly affirmed, how do you perceive the model of "new-age Vietnamese women"?
In the past, the image of Vietnamese women was often associated with the praise of “being good at public affairs and good at housework” – a somewhat unfair concept. Today, many women have affirmed their abilities by being true to themselves, choosing their own path and contributing to the community with knowledge, compassion and creative thinking.
“Being good at public affairs and taking care of family affairs” is not only about fulfilling responsibilities, but also about the harmony between traditional values of altruism and sacrifice with the spirit of openness, daring to learn, criticize and act.
They can be mothers who inspire their children to learn for life, female engineers who lead colleagues on large projects, or teachers in mountainous areas who apply technology to bring students closer to the world.
Women of the new era no longer place their happiness or life in the hands of others, but proactively build their own qualities, careers, relationships and happiness. They are the creators of their own lives.
I believe that the model of Vietnamese women today is a harmonious combination of bravery, knowledge and human values. They both play a traditional role in the family and actively participate in social life, contributing their intelligence and capacity to the development of the country.
More importantly, they are confident in themselves, dare to choose their own path, speak up for women and protect the values they pursue. With compassion, perseverance and a progressive spirit, if given the opportunity to study, access technology and practice leadership skills, Vietnamese women can absolutely become a pioneering force in sustainable development.
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| When women are trusted with power, they often make humane decisions with long-term vision, contributing to a more balanced and sustainable society. (Photo: NVCC) |
In your opinion, what are the areas that need to be prioritized to fully develop the potential of Vietnamese women today?
For Vietnamese women to truly develop and contribute to their full potential, I believe that we need to focus on three core policy pillars.
One, equal and liberal education: Not just the opportunity to learn, but the right to learn in a gender-neutral environment where girls are encouraged to study STEM, leadership, entrepreneurship and critical thinking. Women must have equal income and household chores. There is no career field that women cannot grasp, unless they are physically unfit. Parents should not hold the view that girls will eventually have to rely on their husbands so they do not need to study higher. Let girls have the right to live their own lives.
Second, policies to support women in science and technology. In the past, when I was a Microsoft education representative in Vietnam, I participated as a lecturer for a very cute project called “Digigirl”. This project supports girls, especially in the highlands, to study technology. They have shown great strength of knowledge and will so that we can believe that women can absolutely become technology experts and are not inferior to men. There needs to be research funds, scholarships and female mentor networks to help women participate deeply in new fields such as AI, big data, biotechnology, and digital education.
| "Education and self-belief are the keys for women to break all limits. A fully educated woman not only has knowledge but also has the ability to think independently, dare to ask questions, and dare to choose the right path for herself." |
Third, creative economy and women’s entrepreneurship. Women have a unique capacity to create humane and sustainable solutions. Therefore, soft credit policies, women’s entrepreneurship incubators and digital transformation support programs for rural women and women-owned businesses are needed. The proportion of women holding key positions should also be increased. Many scientific studies have shown that women in leadership will have many positive impacts on all areas of life globally.
In fact, investing in women is not just a humane slogan, but a smart economic development strategy. Women make up nearly half of the workforce, and they often have very high organizational capacity and adaptability. Therefore, if we invest in education, digital skills training, creative startups and mental health care for women, national productivity will increase significantly. A confident, knowledgeable and healthy woman will spread positive energy to the whole family and community.
In addition, equal opportunity policies in work, leadership and promotion are very important. When women are trusted with power, they often make humane decisions with long-term vision, contributing to a more balanced and sustainable society.
The key to women's confidence and self-reliance
In their journey to self-affirmation, women still face many social prejudices and invisible barriers. So what is the most important thing for them to overcome those limitations?
I spent many years hiding in a “cocoon” that I created myself, believing that my abilities were limited and that my life was over after marriage. Only later did I realize that what changes my life is nothing more than self-education, that is, changing my thinking, beliefs and knowledge base. Education is the root, and belief is the driving force.
A liberal education helps women recognize their worth and understand that they have the right to shine. But only when they have faith will they have the courage to step out of their comfort zone, dare to try, dare to fail and dare to be different. Education, properly understood, does not only impart knowledge but also inspires that faith. Because when women believe that they are worthy, they can create “miracles” for their own lives and communities.
| "A confident, knowledgeable and healthy woman will spread positive energy to her family and community." |
I believe that education and self-confidence are the keys for women to break all limits. A well-educated woman not only has knowledge but also has the ability to think independently, dare to ask questions, dare to choose the right path for herself. However, it is important that society changes its view of the role of women. When women want to succeed, they often have to “prove twice as much” as men, which is unfair. We need to create an environment of true equality, where each individual is evaluated by their ability and contribution, not by their gender.
I always encourage young women to ask themselves: “Who do I want to be, what do I need to learn to achieve that?” In fact, when women dare to dream big and dare to act, nothing is impossible.
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| Vietnamese women have many valuable qualities such as resilience, emotionality and a desire to succeed. (Photo: NVCC) |
From the perspective of human resource development, how do you assess the role of women in promoting innovation and digital transformation, areas that are traditionally considered a "playground" for men?
I think that is a stereotype that is slowly being erased. In fact, many women are succeeding brilliantly in the field of technology and innovation, from startups, data management to artificial intelligence. Women with sophisticated thinking, analytical ability and emotional connection are very necessary skills in the digital age, where technology must be associated with the human element.
In other words, digital transformation is not a game for men but a game of intelligence, emotions and understanding of people. In this, women have a natural advantage. Women are not only users of technology, but can also be creators of humane technology, solutions to serve people, take care of mental health, educate children, and develop communities.
It is time to redefine “technological competence” as not just programming or engineering, but the ability to apply technology to create social value. Schools, businesses and organizations need to proactively create environments that encourage women to participate in technology projects, provide digital skills training and empower leadership in innovation teams.
We should encourage more women to participate in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), supporting them through training programs, scholarships and female mentoring networks. When women confidently enter the technology field, they not only change their own lives but also contribute to building a more inclusive and humane digital economy.
“Dare to be different to create your own value”
With many years of experience working in the field of education and capacity development, what message do you have for young girls today, who are striving to build their courage and confidence to become "new-age Vietnamese women"?
The world is changing faster than ever and there have never been more opportunities for those who dare to learn, dare to think and dare to act. Believe that knowledge is power, kindness is character and courage is wings. Don’t be afraid of failure, because every fall is a step to maturity. Don’t be afraid of being different, because it is that difference that makes your own value. And don’t forget, study not only to be good, but to understand – love – contribute to making this world a better place.
Young ladies - dare to be different, dare to step out of your comfort zone and don't be afraid of failure. Success doesn't come from being better than others, but from knowing who you are, what you want and constantly learning to get closer to that goal.
Throughout the nation’s development, Vietnamese women have always been a symbol of strength and kindness. They are not only the support of the family but also the driving force for social progress, making an important contribution to the cause of innovation and international integration. When women are encouraged to study, be creative, and are given the conditions to develop their abilities, the country will have more confident, proactive and ambitious citizens.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/phu-nu-hien-dai-dam-nghi-dam-lam-dam-khac-biet-de-tao-gia-tri-rieng-331237.html
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