Mr Xaysomphone Phetsomphou and Ms Martine Therer co-chair the Leadership Dialogue with women judges.

Laos strengthens gender justice through advocacy dialogue

The People’s Supreme Court, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Laos, last week convened an event titled the Leadership Dialogue with Senior Women Judges, held at the National Institute of Justice.
The meeting was attended by judges, trainees from the National Institute of Justice, university law students, and development partners. 
It highlighted the role of women judges in strengthening access to justice, promoting professional excellence, and building public trust in the judicial system, while fostering meaningful exchange between experienced judges and the next generation of legal professionals.
The dialogue was co-chaired by the Director General of the Research and Training Institute of the People’s Supreme Court, Mr Xaysomphone Phetsomphou, and UNDP Resident Representative in Laos, Ms Martine Therer.
Mr Xaysomphone reaffirmed the Court’s commitment to strengthening judicial professionalism, leadership development, and institutional effectiveness, in line with its Development Plan for 2026-2030.

The Court emphasised the importance of compliance with the plan to ensure that commitments to judicial reform and gender equality are translated into practice across the court system.
Participants discussed the importance of fair and responsive judicial processes, as well as the role of women judges in strengthening trust and inclusiveness in the justice system.
Ms Therer noted that women judges bring professional excellence and perspectives shaped by lived experience.
They help courts respond to gender-based violence, improve protection for those in vulnerable situations, and strengthen consistency and fairness in decision-making, she said.
The dialogue also stressed the importance of investing in the next generation of justice professionals. Students and trainees engaged directly with senior judges, gaining practical insights into the role of the judiciary and the values of professionalism, integrity, and public service.
The event is part of the ongoing collaboration between UNDP and the People’s Supreme Court under the Gender Justice Platform, a joint initiative of UNDP and UN Women. 
This partnership supports efforts to strengthen women’s leadership in the judiciary and enhance gender-responsive adjudication through institutional reforms, capacity development, and mentorship initiatives, with financial support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Gender equality is central to UNDP’s governance and rule of law work. Through partnerships with the National Assembly, government agencies including the judiciary and line ministries, UNDP supports women’s leadership and gender-responsive policymaking, ensuring that institutions serve all citizens equally.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update May 5, 2026)