Economic power of rural women in a new cooperative model in Vietnam

in Vietnam. 3.2. Approach and research method 3.2.1. Approach: Participatory approach, Theory of sustainable development; Theory of inclusive growth 3.2.2. Research Methods: 4 The thesis uses qualitative and quantitative research methods, in which qualitative method is the main one. Specifically, there are following methods: 1) Method of collecting secondary information: The research thesis analyzes domestic and foreign research projects, books, textbooks, documents related to the theoretical basis of cooperative models, new-type cooperatives and the economic power of rural women. The thesis uses statistics, publications, newspapers, published documents. 2) Method of investigation and survey: - In-depth interview with 30 rural and non-cooperative women; case study of 3 new-type cooperatives in Thai Nguyen, Quang Binh, and Can Tho. - Selecting 300 interviewees (150 rural women joining the new- type cooperative model and 150 rural women not joining the new-type cooperative model) in Thai Nguyen, Quang Binh, Can Tho. The author uses the one-time cross-sectional study method. The author conducts a random questionnaire survey with rural women, of which 150 people join new-type cooperatives and 150 people do not join new-type cooperatives (they are 300 rural women from 3 provinces in 3 regions across the country: Thai Nguyen, Quang Binh, Can Tho). In each province, 50 rural women interviewed are joining the new-type cooperatives and 50 rural women are not joining the new-type cooperatives. The author uses 02 questionnaires for the survey, of which 01 questionnaire is for rural women participating in cooperatives operating under the new model and the other questionnaire is for rural women not participating in cooperatives operating under the new model. The 5 questionnaires are developed on important issues related to the economic power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model. The questionnaires are designed with reference to the questionnaires used in the previous surveys of the Vietnam Women’s Union and some international organizations. 3.3. Analytical method During the implementation of the thesis, common economic research methods used to solve problems raised in the research process include: - Method of data processing: Data and questionnaires are synthesized manually and systematized, processed and calculated through SPSS software. Depending on the content to be analyzed, data are calculated and shown in the corresponding table or drawing. The number of votes given out is 300 and the number of votes collected is 293. - Methods of data and data analysis: + Method of synthesis and statistics: Data are collected systematically, reflecting the level and status of relevant issues, the relationship between factors affecting economic power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model. + Comparative analysis method: Analyzing the results, comparing the impact levels of the new-type cooperative model on the economic power of rural women; comparing the economic power of rural women participating in the new-type cooperative model and rural women not participating in the new-type cooperative model; comparing criteria for the time before joining the cooperative and after joining the cooperatives of rural women participating in the new-type cooperative model. 6 3.4. Analytical frame 4. Contributions - Systematizing the theoretical basis of the new-type cooperative model and the economic power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model; factors affecting economic power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model. Econo mic power of rural women in the new- type cooper ative model Change in the capacity to control, decide, and dominate production resources Change in capacity to absorb and use knowledge and skills in production development Change in capacity to collect, analyze, manage and apply information in production development Change in capacity to participate, make decisions and enjoy results in the new-type cooperative model Affecti ng factor s Group of macro factors Group of micro factors: - From a new coopera tive model - From the rural women themsel ves 1. Capacity to control, decide and dominate production resources. 2. Capacity to absorb and use knowledge and skills in production development. 3. Capacity to collect, analyze, manage and apply information in production development. 4. Capacity to participate, make decisions and enjoy the results of the new cooperative model. 7 - Analyzing and assessing the current status of the economic power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model in Vietnam; the impact of the new-type cooperative model on enhancing the economic power of rural Vietnamese women; strengths, limitations, and causes of enhancing economic power of Vietnamese rural women in the new-type cooperative model. - Analyzing the international and domestic context, thereby proposing the main views and solutions to enhance the economic power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model in Vietnam. 5. Structure of the thesis In addition to the introduction, conclusion, appendices and references, the thesis is divided into 4 chapters: Chapter 1: Overview of research related to the thesis topic. Chapter 2: Theoretical and practical bases on the economic power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model. Chapter 3: Current situation of the economic power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model in Vietnam. Chapter 4: Solutions to enhancing the economic power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model in Vietnam. 8 Chapter 1: OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH RELATED TO THE THESIS TOPIC 1.1. Studies related to the new cooperative and cooperative model 1.1.1. International studies: Studies by Kimberly A. Zeuli and Robert Cropp (2004); Brian M. Henehan and Bruce L. Anderson (2001); John O’Connor (2001); International Labor Organization (2014). 1.1.2. Studies in Vietnam: Vietnam Cooperative Union (2016); Dang Kim Son, Tran Cong Thang, Do Lien Huong, Vo Thi Thanh Tam, Pham Thi Kim Dung (2014); Ministry of Planning and Investment (2012); Luu Hoai Chuan in 2002; Phung Quoc Chi (2010) 1.2. Studies on female labor in rural areas and the economic power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model 1.2.1. International studies: Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted by the Fourth Beijing World Conference on Women (1995); Berhane Ghebremichael (2013); Lisa Schincariol McMurtry and JJ McMurtry (2015); Nandini Azad published by the World Union of Cooperatives in 2017 1.2.2. Studies in Vietnam: Hoang Ba Thinh (2014); Le Thi Quy (2010); Nguyen Thi Phuong Thuy (2017); Institute for Family and Gender Studies, Australian Government, UN Women (2016); Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and UN Women (2014); Nguyen Viet Dang, Quyen Dinh Ha, Nguyen Tuyet Lan, Nguyen Minh Thu, Do Thanh Huyen (2006); Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan (2017); Hoang Ba Thinh (2001) 1.3. Studies on the impact of enhancing the economic power of rural women on socio-economic development 9 1.3.1. Impact of enhancing the economic power of rural women on economic development: Important India (2018); United Nations Agency for Equality and Empower Women (UN Women) and Institute for Family and Gender Studies (2016) 1.3.2. Impact of enhancing the economic power of rural women on social development: Oxfarm (2017) However, up to the present time, in Vietnam, to the extent that the sources of information and data are accessed by the author, there are no studies to clarify the economic power of rural women as well as the economic power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model; the influence of the new-type cooperative model on the economic power of rural women; and the role and potential of members of the cooperative, including female workers and female members, promoted, confirmed and recognized through the new cooperative model. Only a few studies have implications. This is the research gap that the thesis approaches to supplement the points and findings. 10 Chapter 2: THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL BASES ON THE ECONOMIC POWER OF RURAL WOMEN IN THE NEW-TYPE COOPERATIVE MODEL 2.1. Concept of the new-type cooperative model and the economic power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model 2.1.1. Concept of the new-type cooperative model - Concept of cooperatives and new-type cooperatives: From the concept of international and Vietnamese cooperative models through stages, the thesis uses the concept: “new-type cooperatives are the ones established, organized and operated in strict accordance with the nature and principles specified in the Cooperative Law; give highly efficient production, trading and services along the value chain, contributing to creating jobs and improving members’ income” - Operational principles and basic characteristics of the new-type cooperative model: According to the seven operating principles of cooperatives specified in the 2012 Cooperative Law, the basic features of the new-type cooperative model in Vietnam can be generalized as follows: + Nature of operation: The new-type cooperative model is an economic organization with autonomy, self-responsibility and effective operation to meet the needs of its members; voluntary; all benefits belong to the members. + Organizational goals: To firstly satisfy members’ general economic, cultural and social needs. + Service object, the relationship of the cooperative and members: The service object is the cooperative member. Members of a cooperative have a dual role of being both the owner and the customer of the cooperative. 11 + Property ownership: Cooperative members contributing capital to cooperatives are returned their contributed capital when leaving the cooperatives; members still own private means of production and have private economic activities. + Management methods: For members’ benefits; equal voting rights; one vote for each member. + Profit distribution: The remaining income after using the prescribed funds is distributed to members. The income distributed to the member is the property owned by the member. 2.1.2. Concept of the economic power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model - According to Oxfam, “Enhancing the economic power of rural women is a process in which women’s lives are transformed from a state of limited power due to gender stereotypes to a state in which they have equal rights with men”. - Concept of the economic power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model: “The economic power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model is the capacity of rural women to control, decide and dominate production resources; acquire and use knowledge and skills in production development; analyze, manage and apply information in production development; participate, make decisions and enjoy the results of a new cooperative model”. 2.2. Content and criteria to evaluate the economic power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model 12 2.2.1. Content of the economic power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model - Capacity to control, decide, and dominate production resources. - Capacity to absorb and use knowledge and skills for economic development. - Capacity to collect, analyze, manage and apply information to make decisions in economic development. - Capacity to participate, make decisions and enjoy results in the new- type cooperative model. 2.2.2. Criteria for assessing the power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model - Changes in capacity to control, decide, and dominate production resources: Measuring indicators: Increasing rate of getting loans in line with borrowing needs; Loan source; Loan purpose; Loan period; Ability to repay loans, etc. - Changes in the capacity to absorb and use knowledge and skills in production development: Measuring indicators: Participation in capacity- building activities for rural women; Training period; Level of knowledge and skills improvement in production. - Changes in the capacity to collect, analyze, manage and apply information in production development: Measuring indicators: Provision of information related to the production of rural women; information content; information sources; the extent to which information is applied in production decisions. 13 - Change in capacity to participate, make decisions and enjoy the results in the new-type cooperative model: Measuring indicators: Position; awareness of the cooperative; benefits received from the cooperative; quality of the cooperative’s services; participation in the meeting to discuss the cooperative’s work; level of stability; growth in employment and income. 2.3. Factors affecting the economic power of rural women in the new- type cooperative model 2.3.1. Macro factors: Policies affecting the rural women’s access to production resources: land ownership; loans; training; agricultural extension services; labor, employment. 2.3.2. Micro factors - Factors from cooperatives: With the operational principles and basic characteristics of the cooperative model, this is the model that can help improve the economic power of rural women, provided that the cooperatives operate according to the principles. - Factors from rural women themselves: Awareness, education level, social capital of rural women; mobility, assertiveness, autonomy and agility of rural female workers are often limited. 2.4. Experience in enhancing the economic power of rural women in the cooperative model of some countries in the world and lessons for Vietnam 2.4.1. Experience in ensuring and exercising the economic power of rural women in the cooperative model of some countries in the world: Japan; India, Thailand, China. 14 2.4.3. Lessonss: - The new-type cooperative model is an effective model in enhancing the economic power of rural women. - Promoting propaganda and dissemination of guidelines and policies of the Party and the State on collective economy and cooperatives; - Cooperatives need to be models that follow the characteristics of the new-type cooperative model. - Promoting activities to support rural women to actively participate in the new-type cooperative model. Chapter 3: STATUS OF THE ECONOMIC POWER OF RURAL WOMEN IN THE NEW-TYPE COOPERATIVE MODEL IN VIETNAM 3.1. Overview of the current status of the new-type cooperative model and rural women participating in economic development in Vietnam 3.1.1. Current development status of the new-type cooperative model in Vietnam 3.1.1.1. Development of policies related to the cooperative model in Vietnam - In the period before the renovation, with absolutely giving prominence to the role of the collective economy, the cooperative had rapidly developed in quantity and scale by means of State administrative measures. - Since the 6 th Congress of the Party, there has been an important change in the cooperative sector. The 1996 Cooperative Law is the prelude to the birth of the new-type cooperative model. 15 - The 2003 Law on Cooperatives created a more comprehensive and comprehensive legal corridor for cooperatives, initially creating a change in awareness about the cooperative. - The revised Law on Cooperatives in 2012 addressed most of the existing problems from previous legal documents. 3.1.1.2. Current situation of cooperatives in Vietnam As of December 31, 2018, there were 22,861 cooperatives, including 13,856 agricultural cooperatives (accounting for 60.6%), attracting nearly 6 million members to participate. Despite difficulties, the performance of the cooperatives was more and more stable and tends to develop. The cooperatives step by step were operating as they were. The average revenue in 2018 reached 4,477.3 million VND/cooperative. However, in recent years, cooperatives have not yet matched their potentials: internal capacities are still weak, including equipment, facilities, technology, management; production and business activities are still passive; the linkage and cooperation between the cooperatives are not yet tight, with low efficiency. 3.1.2. Status of rural women participating in economic development In Vietnam, rural women are an important labor force, making a positive contribution to the process of agricultural and rural industrialization. According to data from the 2019 Census, women accounted for 50.2% of the total population; women accounted for 47.4% of the total rural workforce; 77% of rural women were in the rural labor force. Particularly, the workforce in cooperatives were 2.4 million, of which more than 50% were female workers. The proportion of female employees holding 16 managerial and executive positions in cooperatives was quite low and most of them held the position of deputy or lower level. The proportion of unskilled female workers accounted for over 60% of the total number of female workers in the cooperatives. Some obstacles of the rural female labor force: Limited technical and professional qualifications; Low education level; 71% of rural female workers do not have access to vocational training. Vocational training for women is often short-term; Job opportunities are now a pressing issue. 3.2. Status of the economic power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model in Vietnam 3.2.1. Change in the capacity to control, decide and dominate production resources Rural women often find it difficult to access resources such as finance and credit. According to Oxfam, only 10-20% of people owning land are women. In terms of access to capital, rural women often get less loans. According to the research results of 150 rural women (in Thai Nguyen, Quang Binh, Can Tho), for the women participating in the cooperatives interviewed, the percentage of loans increased and the ability to repay on time increased. Before joining the cooperative, only 39% got loans for production, but after joining the cooperative, 52.4% got loans. Before joining the cooperative, 4% could not pay debts on time, but after joining the cooperative this rate was 0%. When participating in cooperatives, the rate of rural women receiving material and technical assistance is much larger than the group of women who do not participate in cooperatives: 36.2% receive the training in 17 business management (26% in the non-cooperative group); 75.4% receive the training in technical expertise (this rate in the group of women who do not participate in cooperatives is 38%); 27.5% are supported with production machinery and equipment (this rate in the group of women who do not participate in cooperatives is 20%); 14% receive the branding support (this rate in the group of women who do not participate in cooperatives is 7%). 100% of rural women participating in cooperatives are provided with production support services for their members. 3.2.2. Change in capacity to absorb and use knowledge and skills in production development According to the 2019 Census, the proportion of trained female workers in the total number of female workers by professional and technical qualifications increased from 2013 to 2019. 79.5 % of female workers are still untrained. Through interviewing 150 rural women in the new-type cooperative model (in Thai Nguyen, Quang Binh, Can Tho), if compared with the time before joining the cooperative, it can be seen that the cooperatives have created favorable conditions for rural women to participate more in capacity building activities. Before joining cooperatives, only 38% could participate in capacity building training activities, but after joining cooperatives, this number increased significantly, up to 94.4%. A comparison between the group of rural women who join the cooperatives and the group of rural women who do not join the cooperative shows that, after joining the cooperative or the current economic type, the proportion of training to improve capacity of the latter is only 75.6% while 18 this rate in the former is 94.4%. 100% of rural women participating in cooperatives say that their knowledge and skills are improved after joining the cooperatives. 3.2.3. Change in capacity to collect, analyze, manage and apply information in production development According to the General Statistics Office, 43% of male-headed households received information from extension workers 12 months prior to the survey compared with 35% of female-headed households. For 150 rural women joining cooperatives (in Thai Nguyen, Quang Binh, Can Tho) interviewed for information provision, awareness raising, only 49% of women were provided with the information related to their business and production before joining cooperatives, but after joining cooperatives, 100% women were provided with the information. For the application of information in production decision making, for the rural women group participating in cooperatives, 100% of the women say that when provided with the information, they can make better decisions in business and production while the rate in the group not participating in cooperatives is 95.7%. 3.2.4. Change in capacity to participate, make decisions and enjoy results in the new-type cooperative model According to a research report on cooperative economy by Oxfam and the RCD, through a survey of farmers, including women, there are many positive changes in household economy when participating in cooperative models. 80.9% say that the cooperation increases revenue for their households; 77.8% affirm that their profits increase; 85.6% affirm that 19 cooperation and linkage models help improve mutuality and cohesion in the community, reduce the risks of unfair competition. Through the survey of 150 rural women participating in cooperatives (in Thai Nguyen, Quang Binh, and Can Tho), 92.3% of women participating in cooperatives can join the discussing and opinion-expressing process in cooperative activities, 90.1% can join the process of making decisions on cooperative issues and participate in the voting process for the leadership board, 80.1% have shared experiences and provided the information, and 73.9% have received vocational training and fostering. After joining cooperatives, 15.3% say their work is much more stable, 56.25% have a much more stable job, respectively, 11.8% have the significantly increased income and 58.33% have the increased income compared to before entering the cooperatives. 3.3. Analysis of the current situation of factors affecting the economic power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model in Vietnam 3.3.1. Macro factors - Policies to promote rural women to join the new-type cooperative model - Policies and implementation of policies to support rural women to access production resources - Policies and implementation of policies to support rural women in accessing training activities to improve their knowledge and skills in the new-type cooperative model 3.3.2. Micro factors 20 - Group of factors from the new-type cooperative model: Facilitating members to access capital for production development; access to education, training and fostering activities to improve professional qualifications; vocational training; access to information sources in appropriate forms and channels; participate, make decisions, ensure income, employment, improve roles in the family and society. - Group of factors from rural women themselves: Awareness, knowledge; Family background and number of children in the family; Social capital. 3.4. General assessment of the economic power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model 3.4.1. Strengths and reasons 3.4.2. Limition and causes Chapter 4: SOLUTIONS TO ENHANCE THE ECONOMIC POWER OF RURAL WOMEN IN THE NEW-TYPE COOPERATIVE MODEL IN VIETNAM 4.1. Domestic and international contexts affecting the economic power of rural women in the new-type cooperative model in Vietnam 4.1.1. International context The world economic and political situation is complicated. However, popular trends will be peace and cooperation, socio-economic development, science and technology, especially the industrial revolution 4.0, digital transformation, and climate change on a global scale