2008 Woodie Awards
International day recognizes women's changing role in Vietnam
By: Tiffany Johnson
Issue date: 3/23/06 Section: LifeStyle
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About two dozen people from different nationalities gathered on couches, munched on Chinese food and talked about International Women's Day March 8, sponsored by the Vietnamese Student Association.
Graduate student Lan Pham, a media communications major and vice president of VSA, explained the significance of International Women's Day in her country, using a slide show presentation.
"Before the war, women in Vietnam were good wives and mothers," Pham said. "They took care of their family, served meals and they would teach their children."
Pham also talked about life during the Vietnam War, which "involved hundreds of thousands of women," that were relatives of the men who had been recruited to fight. Some of these women even learned how to fire guns and fought in the war along with the men.
Today, women in Vietnam have a higher position in their jobs and contribute to their country by being teachers, doctors, politicians and company managers, Pham said.
Even though women are now allowed to work in Vietnam, a good reputation still depends on a woman's ability to take care of her family as well as her job.
"If you have a good career and don't take care of your family, you are not seen as a good woman," said senior Linh Tren, an advertising and marketing major.
Tren also said that while the cities in Vietnam are more aware of women's rights, the villages in the countryside do not honor women in the same way. This happens because the women are not as educated and are not as aware of the progress being made in women's rights.
International Women's Day is a national holiday in Vietnam and is celebrated like Valentine's Day, Pham said. The men bring flowers to their wives, they cook dinner for them or take them out. It's also a good day for businesses to honor the women that work for them, Pham said.
Robert Huttegger of Campus Ministries said the presentation was a good way for the students to relate to the women in Vietnam.
"We have the impression that (Asian) women are always in the background, it's good to see them be more active and not in the background," Huttegger said.
International Women's Day is not just celebrated in Vietnam, it is recognized around the world. According to http://www.internationalwomensday.com the observance started in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland and is held on March 8 every year. Since its inception, the day has been celebrated in most of the countries in the world and is supported by the United Nations.
Graduate student Lan Pham, a media communications major and vice president of VSA, explained the significance of International Women's Day in her country, using a slide show presentation.
"Before the war, women in Vietnam were good wives and mothers," Pham said. "They took care of their family, served meals and they would teach their children."
Pham also talked about life during the Vietnam War, which "involved hundreds of thousands of women," that were relatives of the men who had been recruited to fight. Some of these women even learned how to fire guns and fought in the war along with the men.
Today, women in Vietnam have a higher position in their jobs and contribute to their country by being teachers, doctors, politicians and company managers, Pham said.
Even though women are now allowed to work in Vietnam, a good reputation still depends on a woman's ability to take care of her family as well as her job.
"If you have a good career and don't take care of your family, you are not seen as a good woman," said senior Linh Tren, an advertising and marketing major.
Tren also said that while the cities in Vietnam are more aware of women's rights, the villages in the countryside do not honor women in the same way. This happens because the women are not as educated and are not as aware of the progress being made in women's rights.
International Women's Day is a national holiday in Vietnam and is celebrated like Valentine's Day, Pham said. The men bring flowers to their wives, they cook dinner for them or take them out. It's also a good day for businesses to honor the women that work for them, Pham said.
Robert Huttegger of Campus Ministries said the presentation was a good way for the students to relate to the women in Vietnam.
"We have the impression that (Asian) women are always in the background, it's good to see them be more active and not in the background," Huttegger said.
International Women's Day is not just celebrated in Vietnam, it is recognized around the world. According to http://www.internationalwomensday.com the observance started in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland and is held on March 8 every year. Since its inception, the day has been celebrated in most of the countries in the world and is supported by the United Nations.