question_answer

Evaluate the role of Vietnamese women during 1960s war period and after the war in peace time.                                                                                                                        [Foreign 2008]

Answer:

The Vietnamese women played a remarkable role in the Vietnamese war for independence starting from 1960.

(i) When casualties in the war increased after 1960, women in large numbers joined the war and fought selflessly and continued the resistance movement.

(ii) They helped in nursing the wounded, constructing underground rooms and tunnels for hiding. Along the Ho Chi Minh Trail young volunteers kept open 2195 km of strategic roads and guarded at key points. They built six airstrips, neutralised tens of thousands of bombs, transported cargo, weapons and food. From record, it appears that there were 1.5 million women in the regular army.

(iii) Women militia shot down planes. For instance Nguyen Thi Xuan was reported to have shot down a jet with just twenty bullets.

(iv) They were young, brave and dedicated. They were not only warriors but worked with dedication in other fields also. They carried rifle in one hand and hammer in the other.