Ms Ina Marčiulionytė delivers the opening speech.

Team Europe, ECCIL EuroCham launch joint programme to enhance gender equality, women’s empowerment in business

The European Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Laos (ECCIL) on May 10 organised a Breakfast Talk to launch its programme to contribute to gender equality and women’s empowerment in private sector development and business.

Co-funded by the European Union (EU), the programme is in line with the priorities of the Team Europe Strategy 2021-2025 and the mandate of the ECCIL.
Ms Ina Marčiulionytė, Ambassador of the European Union to the Lao PDR, said in her opening speech “There are many strong girls and women in Laos. Quite often, I can see that they lack opportunities, encouragement, and confidence. Together as Team Europe, we are joining forces in the Lao PDR to promote gender equality, to make sure that the physical and psychological integrity of women and girls is protected, that they are empowered, their voice heard, and participation strengthened.”

Thiane Khamvongsa, Executive Director of ECCIL EuroCham, said “Women still face numerous problems in the workplace such as gender income inequality, work-family life balance where working mothers have two full-time careers, harassment, gender bias and cultural stereotypes which leads to career advancement barriers. Females graduating and entering the workforce today will encounter many of these problems.”
“This is why ECCIL EuroCham has set to create a safe space of dialogue within its office, in the form of a programme that aims to advocate for Women’s Entrepreneurship,

Leadership and Empowerment through several events such as panel talks, advocacy and awareness events targeted to the business community in Laos and group mentoring sessions targeted to young female professionals.”
“We have the opportunity to have in our network many experienced female professionals who have successfully navigated around these roadblocks and managed to rise through the ranks of the companies they work for. These professionals will be able to offer constructive guidance and perspective and full real-world wisdom that will help mentees feel inspired to take action.”
This first event of a series introduced the programme to the public, launching it with a panel talk by experienced female executives and entrepreneurs, who discussed at length how to unlock the full potential of women in the Lao economy, how to bring down the barriers that hold women back, and brainstormed on how to empower women in the workplace for future group mentoring sessions.
The panel was moderated by Mrs Annette Knobloch, Ambassador of Germany to the Lao PDR.
“Women’s empowerment is crucial to ensure that they have the confidence to exercise their rights, assume more responsibilities, and even lead important businesses,” Mrs Knobloch said as she shared her experiences both in Laos and her country, Germany.
“Family and society play an essential role in influencing and encouraging women,” she added.  
Ms Mette Boatman, Vice-President of ECCIL EuroCham, added “The personal stories shared by female role models here today emphasise that a change in culture is needed, in family, in education and in the workplace. But history tells us that culture can change, and it does change all the time. As employers, looking at our HR register, we have to ask ourselves whether we have done enough to encourage women in leadership positions. How can we help change culture by changing our workforce demands? As a Chamber of Commerce, we can take the lead in increasing awareness and involving both men and women in these discussions.”
For more information:
European Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Lao PDR
Email: contact@eccil.com

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update May 15, 2023)