Women serving in the People’s Public Security Force not only enforce the law but also face significant challenges in balancing their tasks and family matters. Major Lê Thị Huyền, Chief of the Thanh Nưa Commune Police (Điện Biên District), and Major Nguyễn Thị Lý, a correctional officer at the Temporary Detention Center of the Điện Biên Provincial Police Department, are two outstanding examples.

From a young age, Major Lê Thị Huyền dreamed of wearing the uniform of the People’s Public Security Force. Over 21 years in the force, she has taken on various roles and left a strong impression. In 2021, she was assigned to Thanh Nưa Commune Police - an essential border area with seven villages adjacent to Laos, where security and order pose significant challenges.

Since 2022, she has served as Deputy Chief, then Acting Chief, and is now officially the Chief of the Thanh Nưa Commune Police. Her responsibilities go beyond patrol and control duties, encompassing advising local authorities on security plans, managing household registrations, overseeing public order, and combating crime.

Under her leadership, the Thanh Nưa Commune Police has consistently achieved the title of "Outstanding Unit," helping to maintain peace for residents. Notably, in 2024, the Thanh Nưa Commune Police was honored with the Government’s Emulation Flag for its outstanding achievements in the national security protection movement and received a Certificate of Merit from the Ministry of Public Security for its exceptional contributions to ensuring security during the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory.

Behind these accolades are countless days and nights of relentless work. “When I first started, the workload was overwhelming, and we were short-staffed. I hardly had any days off. There were nights when I got home so late that my children were already asleep, and in the morning, I had to leave early without seeing them,” she shared. Despite these hardships, the support and encouragement from her family have been a source of motivation for her continued dedication.

For young people aspiring to join the police force, Major Huyền advises: “First and foremost, you must understand the weight of responsibility that comes with being a police officer - a guardian of the political system and the people. It is a profession of great hardship and sacrifice. The work environment is strict, requiring discipline, resilience, and a strong sense of responsibility. You must be passionate, ideologically steadfast, courageous, and ready to endure difficulties. Most importantly, never stop learning and improving yourself, no matter how tough the journey may be.”

While Major Lê Thị Huyền is responsible for ensuring public order in a border commune, Major Nguyễn Thị Lý works quietly behind the scenes, guiding individuals who have made mistakes back onto the right path. She is a correctional officer at the Temporary Detention Center, overseeing hundreds of inmates serving various sentences.

Pursuing her dream of becoming a police officer, she was admitted to the People’s Police Intermediate School and chose to specialize in detention management - a field with few applicants. Encouraged by her family, she embraced this challenging career. After graduating in 2006, she was assigned to the Temporary Detention Center and worked in several positions before becoming a correctional officer.

Working in close contact with criminals, especially dangerous offenders, is not a career many choose to pursue long-term. However, for Major Nguyễn Thị Lý, this is not just a job but a mission. “A correctional officer’s role is not just about supervision; more importantly, it is about helping inmates recognize their mistakes, reform, and reintegrate into society,” she added.

With patience and dedication, she has helped many inmates undergo positive transformations and rebuild their lives. Some, after serving their sentences, have reached out to express their gratitude and share their new beginnings. These moments are considered her greatest motivation.

Besides her professional duties, she actively participates in charitable activities organized by the Women’s Union of the provincial Police Department, such as assisting underprivileged women, supporting orphans, and empowering women in border areas.

Balancing a demanding career and family life is especially challenging for Major Lý, who hails from the central province of Nghệ An but has been working in Điện Biên since graduating. With her husband often away on work assignments, she plays the dual role of both mother and father to their two young children. “There are many nights when I am on duty and unable to go home. During those times, I relied on my relatives for help and do my best to balance work and family,” she confided.

The Women’s Union of the provincial Police Department, with nearly 400 members, serves as a support network for female officers and staff, offering encouragement and assistance to help them excel in their careers. With the motto “Courage, Humanity, Discipline, and Responsibility for National Security and Family Happiness,” the union has led numerous initiatives to affirm the role of women in the People’s Public Security Force.

Under the union’s guidance, meaningful programs such as “Adopted Mothers,” which supports orphans, and “Accompanying Border Women,” which helps women in border areas develop economically, have been implemented. The union also provides a strong foundation for female officers to enhance their skills, build resilience, and balance work and family life.

Thanks to the union’s support, many female officers, including Major Lê Thị Huyền and Major Nguyễn Thị Lý, continue to play a pioneering role in maintaining public security. Despite facing numerous challenges, they remain steadfast, responsible, and dedicated to their work, earning them the title of “steel roses” - strong and resilient women in the People’s Public Security Force.