Remember the debate with the Minister and the story about the Deputy Director of the Department applying for leave

Her debated questions at parliament always focus on hot issues of society, and public opinion is very interested. Currently, she is the Deputy Director of the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of Phu Yen Province, the Deputy Director of the Provincial Committee for the Advancement of Women, and the Chairperson of the Executive Council of the Phu Yen Children’s Fund. More surprising when last April 2022, she submitted her resignation from the position of Deputy Director of the Department.

On the occasion of the founding of the Vietnam Women’s Union (October 20), she shared with Youth about his days as a member of the National Assembly as well as his current life in the subsection Half of the World.

At the beginning of the story, Ms. Pham Thi Minh Hien reminisced about the first days of her job as a member of the National Assembly.

Remember in 2016, right at the 2nd session of the 14th National Assembly, I pressed the question button and raised the board to debate with two Ministers about hot issues of society that were of great interest to the public at that time. That first button press was also the decision for me to choose to embark on my own thorny path.

During my 5-year journey as a member of the National Assembly, the question that I often receive from the press, voters are delegate Hien, is there a lot of pressure, has been “interfered” by thorny statements? Even close friends and colleagues are often worried and ask why they don’t choose an easier path for themselves, especially when they are female delegates.

Actually, at that time, I didn’t have much time to consider, to choose or to think more about my personal loss. The determination of my attitude to participate quickly is partly related to gender factors, the percentage of young female delegates always accounts for less than 40% of the total number of deputies in the National Assembly. From my own activities in this role, I realized that the most important thing is still human, no matter what field, how the mode of operation is decided and responsible for. . In addition to the knowledge and skills required to learn and practice every day, the qualities and courage of the delegates will create a fierce, dynamic and creative democratic parliament.

Referring to female Congresswoman Pham Thi Minh Hien, voters nationwide immediately remember a young female delegate who always has many tough and direct questions. How was your first debate with the Minister in Parliament?

Remember! My first debate was with the Minister of Education and Training about the story of “a female teacher going to receive guests” which caused a stir in public opinion at that time. Of course, later on, I also spoke on many other issues about law-making, discussed social issues at meetings, but most of my direct questions and debates in parliament were always the same. content related to the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of women and children. Partly because I am in charge of this field, partly because I am a female delegate.

Many people still believe that gender equality work must be done by men, or that the idea of ​​protecting women will contribute to raising awareness in society about equal rights. That’s not wrong, but I think that in order to gradually erase gender stereotypes, both men and women or even a certain gender need to be respected and placed equally in terms of opportunities to access, participate in and participate in. make appropriate decisions. Women are inherently considered the weaker sex because of their specific gender characteristics, but this does not mean that women have to accept more disadvantage than men, have to make more sacrifices. Every gender must be aware of its own value, the elements and characteristics of each gender must also be respected, shared and understood.

Why do you think gender inequality still exists, one form or another?

Gender inequality will still exist, happening if all silently compromise or rely on the voice of the other gender to demand equal rights. Women protecting each other properly and appropriately is the first thing that comes to my mind in my opinion. Not only me, but there are many female delegates who have been extremely strong in expressing their opinions, I have learned a lot from them. I have the right to be proud of the contributing role of women in the activities of the National Assembly and can affirm that one of the hallmarks of the success of the 14th National Assembly is the quality of delegates.

What are your views on current gender stereotypes?

My point is, people, no matter what job they do, no matter what class they belong to, when we are living in a civilized society, ethical standards are no longer rigid stereotypes, Gender stereotypes need to be eliminated.

I think, once women have to be financially dependent on men, they will certainly not be treated equally. We should not assume that women are always weak, so they always need protection and rely on absolute protection from men. Women will retain their position if they understand and take advantage of specific gender characteristics, will maintain their charisma because of independence in thinking, autonomy in income, softness and flexibility in choice. quality of life for your family or your own life.

There are more things in life to share, support, and empathize with than to create a rigid division of the tasks both of you have to perform each day and forget that, man or woman. Everyone wants to find peace and comfort in their home.

Should we aim for equality in the family today?

Having gone through difficult periods, facing life events, women can be difficult, demanding at work, setting great goals in their career, but don’t be too difficult with their family. me. If possible, bring down the stereotypes, the formal titles of an exemplary family, the pressure to be the perfect husband, a wife who strives to be good at everything but struggles otherwise. demanding feminism all the time, it can only lead to conflict and extreme choices. When the living space lacks smiles, the private corner is no longer peaceful, there will be no happiness. Of course that is my own way of thinking, an ordinary woman like many other women.

Can you “reveal” about your outlook on life, way of living and working?

Some of my views on life, way of life and work may not be suitable for the majority or may offend many people. Although I used to be a member of the National Assembly, I had the opportunity to contact and expand favorable relationships, but I am not a very good communicator, I am straightforward or speak thorny issues, so with whom and where I like hearing things that are pleasing to the eye, the opinion of the majority belongs to the majority, then I may not be a good choice for them.

Even with my family members or with friends that I cherish, I often choose to share and openly exchange with them my thoughts, because in order to treat each other most comfortably, to preserve or develop a good relationship is to give each other respect and sincerity, over time understanding will keep the relationship.

Recently on a business trip to the South, I was very surprised because people in Ho Chi Minh City recognized me and greeted me and walked over to shake hands. Sometimes those little joys are the motivation for me to believe more in my somewhat different choices.

The road to becoming a National Assembly member is really full of ups and downs – gained and lost with many emotions, with pride and even bitterness. No matter what, we all have to take responsibility for our own lives, the work we do, the path we have chosen. Respecting different opinions and viewpoints when working at the National Assembly has also helped her to have multiple perspectives, to receive information more openly and to accept all changes.

When you quit being a member of the National Assembly, do you have any regrets?

There is one thing that I think I also need to share honestly, after the end of the National Assembly term, I sometimes discover that a certain provision in a provision of the Law or of a certain policy is not really suitable with the law. In the actual situation, I still keep the habit of writing down my personal thoughts or views on the issues I care about, but then leave it at that. Many times I feel regret because when I was working, I did not study all policies, did not identify early to give timely comments. People and businesses are the subject of all the impacts of the policy, and social workers, in charge of social protection policies like me, have felt uneasy many times during the implementation process. presently. Because outside the society there are still many unfortunate lives and welfare policies are still far from their reach, we can only expand all connections so that they can access other services from social sources. socialization.

What do you want to do to not have to worry about the above?

After 2 years of witnessing great changes in all aspects of social life due to the Covid-19 epidemic, I want to spend more time doing valuable and meaningful work with the human condition. While choosing to be closer to people’s lives, while spending a lot of time studying and reading books to supplement specialized knowledge of social work, since then, the outlook on life has changed quite a lot.

“Many times people call me an official in the Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs sector, I have to quickly correct myself, I am just a civil servant assigned to do that position. It is important in any role or position that we must make efforts and try to do the best we can on the assigned tasks. Up to now, I have always determined that work efficiency is the goal, the working process will have to put all my efforts and make the most of my ability for the common work. I’m not trying because of the position I’m sitting in or something higher. I’m a pretty sensitive person, or feel ashamed of what I haven’t done. So my efforts are not because I want to become a successful woman with social status, so that my name is attached to a certain title. But I only put real effort in the process of working, for the final effect of the work, it must be valuable. This value is also the value of trust, people, kindness and mutual respect in the process of achieving common goals.

At some point, if in that position I can’t promote anymore, no longer suitable for my life and work goals, then I choose to leave.

The news that you resigned from your job has had some bad publicity, can you share why this special decision was made?

In April 2022, I actively submitted my resignation, but at that time, the staff of the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of Phu Yen province was lacking many positions, so my resignation letter could not be resolved. It was really a very difficult decision for me, because after all, I have more than 20 years of working in the government payroll.

“At this age, finding a job and starting over is not easy. But certainly this is not a hasty decision, it took me quite a while to think and fight with myself. When the organizational structure of the Department is stable, maybe my application will be considered and resolved. I don’t have many big plans, I can only set small goals that are suitable for me, a job that makes me laugh more, absorb and spread positive energy, have a stable income to support. live for myself and my family, enough to see myself happy. I have just a simple wish, looking for a job associated with helping and developing people, like teaching, for example, because that is the choice that I always aim for.

Many times, the value of labor is not so much a well-paid job, but to find joy in the work itself. I can’t predict what the next stage will be, but the important thing is that I overcame my own fears, stepped through the comfort zone to understand more deeply that the direction of self-development, the goal of my life. Each person must choose and decide for himself.