The goal is clear: to help women master smartphone skills and access essential services such as health, education and agriculture, thereby improving access to information and enhancing quality of life.

This activity is also within the general orientation of the National Target Program on Sustainable Poverty Reduction and responds to the movement "The whole country for the poor - No one is left behind", aiming to give people in the highlands access to technology, narrowing the digital gap between the mountains and the plains.

Effective digital transformation model

Currently, Son La province has over 232,600 women members. All levels of the association have promoted the dissemination of the policies of the Central Government, the province and documents related to digital transformation to all members. The Provincial Women's Union (VWU) issued an implementation plan, including the application of information technology in the evaluation and emulation criteria of the grassroots association.

Ms. Quang Thi Van, Permanent Vice President of the Provincial Women's Union, said: The Provincial Women's Union directs all levels of the union to apply information technology in its activities, the I-Office document management software system, electronic information pages and social networking sites, such as Zalo and Facebook. Up to now, 200 union bases have applied software in union activities; over 2,600 branches use social networks in union activities.

Son La Provincial Women's Union organized a training course to improve IT application capacity for 64 chairmen and vice chairmen of district and commune level Women's Unions.

From 2024 to present, the Provincial Women's Union has organized 4 training conferences to improve digital skills and information technology application capabilities for more than 400 women's union officials at all levels. At the same time, training on digital transformation, information technology application, and safe use of social networks has been provided to more than 3,200 officials and members. Thanks to that, 100% of full-time officials at all 3 union levels are proficient in using basic software in union work.

Notably, in Yen Chau district, the Women's Union has established a digital transformation network with more than 13,500 members. In Chieng Khoi commune, more than 80% of members own smartphones. The Union has provided instructions on how to use QR codes to share documents and instructional clips. Many branches have established Facebook and Zalo groups attracting more than 600 members, creating a connection channel and disseminating digital knowledge quickly and effectively.

It is noteworthy that this model is not only limited to the Women's Union but also spread to other organizations and unions at the grassroots level. Some branches have coordinated with the Youth Union and the Farmers' Association to support digital skills for people in the village.

From the initial training sessions, many women became the core of dissemination, instructing members who were not familiar with technology. Thanks to that, digital transformation is no longer a strange concept but has entered daily life, from association activities, work management to agricultural product consumption. This is a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of the motto: "Women learn - women do - women share", turning digital transformation into a movement with strong influence in the community.

Ms. Me Thi Xuan, President of the Women's Union of Muong Giang Commune, Quynh Nhai District, shared: Through social networks and Zalo groups, we quickly grasp information about the direction and organization of activities and programs of the union. Articles and information about activities, policies and guidelines related to women, and issues of public concern on the Facebook pages of the Provincial Women's Union are regularly shared by us. From there, it helps members easily access useful information, promoting the emulation movement of women to develop more and more.

Digital transformation training – from awareness to practice

The Son La Provincial Women's Union organized a training course to improve IT application capacity for 64 chairmen and vice chairmen of the Women's Union at district and commune levels. The training content revolved around: Instructions on data entry on the staff and member management software. How to propagate and raise awareness about network information security. Applying IT in managing and operating the Union's activities.

Thanks to that, many Union officials have changed their working habits: instead of printing paper documents, they can now share them online; instead of meeting in person, they can exchange information via Zalo and Facebook groups; information reaches members faster and more promptly. This is also a step to concretize the National Target Program on sustainable poverty reduction, because women - an important force in household economic development - now have more digital tools to improve their lives.

 

Digital transformation, application of information technology, and safe use of social networks help many women in Son La earn extra income by promoting agricultural products.

Digital transformation training courses for commune women are held regularly, linked to the actual needs of each locality. The content is not spread out but focuses on basic and practical skills such as: using smartphones to look up online public services, look up information on health - education - agriculture, cashless payments and promoting agricultural products via social networks.

A special feature is that the training program is also linked to the National Target Program on Sustainable Poverty Reduction and the emulation movement "The whole country for the poor - No one is left behind", emphasizing that digital transformation is a tool to help women in remote areas shorten the development gap and escape poverty sustainably.

Digital utilities in the lives of women in mountainous areas

Through digital transformation, women's union members in the mountainous areas of Son La have learned how to: Look up medical information: vaccination schedules, medical examination and treatment. Access educational knowledge: monitor children's learning information through applications. Exploit agricultural information: weather forecast, farming techniques, agricultural product prices. Use online public services and install VNeID for convenient administrative transactions.

Not only stopping at accessing information, many women also turn technology into a tool to generate income. Many women's associations in Yen Chau and Mai Son have known how to open online booths, bringing local agricultural specialties such as Yen Chau round mango, Ta Xua tea, Son La honey... to e-commerce platforms. Thereby, the products are not only consumed in the province but also reach out to a wider market, bringing in a stable source of income.

In particular, basic digital skills such as using Zalo and Facebook not only help women exchange information quickly, but also contribute to spreading knowledge about health care, child rearing, and preventing social evils. From being afraid of technology, women in the highlands have now become "digital citizens", confidently asserting their role in family and community development.

Many members have also become "digital guides" in the community, helping older relatives and friends access technology. A familiar image in the highlands is now women learning together how to scan QR codes, creating online sales groups, or downloading applications to look up production information. This is also how the movement "The whole country for the poor - No one is left behind" is realized, when women in the highlands are not disadvantaged in accessing digital technology.

Digital transformation is gradually narrowing the gap between women in remote areas and cities. From training courses to online groups, Son La women have become more confident in applying technology to their lives. This activity not only helps women keep up with the digital society but is also a practical part of implementing the National Target Program on Sustainable Poverty Reduction and the movement "The whole country for the poor - Leaving no one behind".