Farming, dance clubs, and the well-being of female farmers in the Red River Delta, Vietnam
By Quang Phung and Nga Dao
Women have always been at the forefront of agriculture in Vietnam. They play a critical role in food production and ensure the livelihoods of their families and communities, especially in agrarian regions like the Red River Delta (RRD). Despite these contributions, women also shoulder a disproportionate quantity of unpaid caregiving and household duties. Due to males’ departure from rural areas for employment elsewhere, this workload increased in the decades leading up to the mid-2010s placing an even heavier burden on rural women and girls. However, since 2013, land consolidation and agricultural mechanization have liberated women from heavy farming work, giving them more time to take care of themselves and engage in social activities, such as organizing dancing clubs and being more active in organizing villages’ events and festivals.
A woman cleaning an irrigation conduit in Thai Binh province (Nga Dao)
Land consolidation policy and women in agriculture
Gender roles have undergone significant changes in the RRD region. An increasing outmigration of men and youth to urban areas in search of better job opportunities in the late 1990s and early 2000s left a significant gap in the agricultural workforce. Women, especially married women, have also taken on additional responsibilities in agriculture, including managing the family farm and contributing to household income. After a recent successful implementation of national government-directed land consolidation in the RRD provinces (2013–19), households now have more concentrated farmland instead of having to take care of small plots scattered throughout their villages; this has enabled many to mechanize their farming. In addition, with the proliferation of industrial zones in almost every RRD province, locals have increased access to more employment opportunities. Young people now do not have to outmigrate far from home in search of employment as the older generation did in the 1990s and early 2000s. Thus, even though we see many young people engaging in non-agricultural work, they are still able to support farm work, either early in the morning or during the weekends. Income from non-farm work can help to rent machinery and reduce the family labour needed to successfully engage in agriculture.
In the RRD, our team found women actively participating in environmental protection and implementing sustainable agriculture practices. Many women use agriculture development models with modern technology to increase the value of their agricultural products and contribute to the formation of a greener economy and cleaner agricultural production areas. For example, in many of the communes where we work, women have shifted from small-scale farming to cooperative farming. At the same time, they actively participate in the "One Commune One Product" (OCOP) program to increase the value of local agricultural products. The Dinh Trung female farmers’ cooperative in Vinh Phuc is one of these models; they have been successfully growing organic vegetables in the village since 2007.
Interview with a head of a farming cooperative in Thai Binh province (Nga Dao)
Besides direct involvement in agriculture production, women also educate, mobilize, and assist their communities in understanding new development policies and in encouraging farmers to create environmentally friendly, safe, and sustainable agricultural products. During our visit to Vinh Phuc, Hung Yen, and Thai Binh provinces, we learned that local governments attributed the success of the land consolidation policy to women, especially the Women’s Unions. Together with its members, the Women’s Unions have been a key advocate in promoting the land consolidation policy, mobilizing support for related policy initiatives, and bringing attention to land consolidation’s benefits. They also serve as a valuable source of information and support for women who may be less involved in community decision-making processes, ensuring that their voices are heard in the development and implementation of the land consolidation policy in their area.
The impact of agricultural mechanization on women’s well-being
In the past, women performed a significant portion of the physically demanding and time-consuming manual work needed for farming, including land preparation, sowing, transplanting, weeding, and harvesting. At the same time, due to farmland fragmentation, women had to carry on these tasks multiple times each season. Nowadays, with the help of machines, women can grow crops in less time, increasing their income and quality of life. Aside from boosting farming output, agricultural mechanization also reduces demands on women's labour, giving them more free time to engage in activities like joining social clubs and attending community events.
A woman told us:
“Before, we had to run from one field to another all season. Since our lands were scattered all over the place with a size of 150 to 300 m2 per piece, it took a while to finish sowing and transplanting young rice. Harvest times were different as rice in different patches ripened at different times. Now things are so much easier. Each household can have their farming land in one piece as big as 3,600m2 or even larger. And with the combine harvesters, harvesting can be done swiftly. We can now have more time to do things we like to do.”
The reduction of women's labour burden is one of farming mechanization's most important advantages. Considering how physically taxing the above-mentioned activities are, mechanization can help reduce the time and effort needed from women. Mechanization can also improve women’s safety. Numerous agricultural tasks involve a high risk of accident, injury, strain as well as exposure to the harmful chemicals used in pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Mechanization can also improve women's safety by reducing the need for manual work, and lowering the risk of exposure and injury.
“Giờ việc đồng áng chủ yếu do máy móc nên chúng tôi có nhiều thời gian hơn. Phụ nữ bây giờ tham gia các câu lạc bộ dân vũ. Tập tành suốt để tham gia vào các hoạt động văn nghệ của làng xã. Vui lắm.”
“Since most of our farming work now is done by machine, we have more time. So, we set up our village’s folk-dance club. We’re having so much fun practicing the dance for our village events. ”
We have learned that women’s increased participation in non-farm activities has improved their mental and physical health. For instance, in all of the communes and villages that we visited, women's participation in social clubs and community activities has become the social norm. This, in turn, increases their social representation, empowers women, and advances gender equity in rural areas. Folk dance has become the most popular activity among women in the areas that we visited in December 2022. Folk dance practice, which can be considered a type of exercise, not only has health benefits but also provides a place for women to meet and share their thoughts, ideas, and feelings. As a result, many women of various ages have been drawn to their village’s dance groups and have joined the practice. Dance groups from various villages also actively interact to expand chances for education, experience sharing, and participation in local cultural and sporting events.
Chatting with a woman who is a member of a dance club in Vinh Phuc province, Vietnem (Nga Dao)
Conclusion
In conclusion, women are important to the RRD's economy, society, and industry. However, because of gender inequality and social norms, they frequently encounter substantial obstacles and challenges. Land consolidation and agricultural mechanization help to address some of these challenges by freeing up time for women to engage in other activities and improve their overall well-being. Overall, gender equality is being promoted in the region, and closing the gender gap in agriculture would create a more sustainable and equitable future for women in the RRD.
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