British Embassy supports gender equality in Laos

The British Embassy is supporting the Lao Women’s Union and the Social Development Alliance Association (SODA) with guidelines on measuring gender responsiveness basic service delivery and the evaluation of statistical systems relating to gender.
A meeting to discuss these two initiatives took place on Friday, chaired by the Vice President of the Lao Women’s Union, Mrs Sirikit Bouppha, and the British Ambassador to Laos, Mr John Pearson.
Speaking at the meeting, Mrs Sirikit said participants would discuss and hear progress reports on the guide to measuring gender responsiveness basic service delivery and the evaluation of statistical systems relating to gender. The two schemes are financially supported by the British Embassy and have been developed by SODA and the Lao Women’s Union.
“This guide and the evaluation of statistical systems are very important for gender promotion in Laos. They will enable the production of realistic statistics relating to gender issues which will provide useful information for the Lao Women’s Union and other groups,” Mrs Sirikit said.
Ambassador Pearson said the British Embassy wished to support the development of women and children in Laos.
The embassy has previously supported several projects in Laos including occupational development for women in Meuangfeuang district, Vientiane province, and helped women with disabilities to make items from recycled materials in Hadxaifong district, Vientiane.
“I hope that the guide to measuring gender responsiveness basic service delivery and the evaluation of statistical systems relating to gender will benefit more Lao women,” the ambassador said.
The Lao Women’s Union was established in 1955 to unify the country’s women in support of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party. Over 40 years later, it has a membership of about 600,000 women nationwide.
In 1991 the Union was recognised under the Constitution as being responsible for responding to women’s development needs, promoting the status and role of women, and encouraging unity amongst women of different ethnic groups and social strata.
The main goal of the Social Development Alliance Association is to promote social equity and the rights of poor, female and vulnerable groups in Laos. Its work is supported by the policies and practices of the Lao government and development partners, and by the wider community.

By Viengdavanh Banphahaksa
(Latest Update January 20, 2020)