ພາສາລາວ
A core group of 19 Lao Women’s Union (LWU) committee members from across MoES will participate in activities across three components: building leadership capability, GEDSI integration in the workplace, and MoES institutional strengthening
The program will provide training and professional development support for women in leadership positions and mass organization members
On 18-20 May 2026 at Naparkkaung Meeting Room, Thoulakom District, Vientiane Province, the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR (MoES), with support from Australia through the BEQUAL program, has launched the Women In Leadership Program (WIL). Dr. Toulavanh Normeungsean, Director General of Personnel Department chaired this first training and there are around 30 participants.
The WIL Program is structured around three complementary components that together support both individual and institutional change. The first component is Building Leadership Capability, which provides participants with a personal learning journey focused on leadership development, understanding gender equality, tools for driving equitable change, communication, lifelong learning, and soft skills. This component is intended not only to strengthen technical and interpersonal skills, but also to create space for reflection, peer learning, coaching, and the development of individual gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) action plans.
Second, the WIL program supports GEDSI integration in the workplace through a Training of Trainers approach. WIL participants will be co-facilitators, delivering information sessions and workshops with senior leaders and staff across MoES to promote GEDSI mainstreaming in practice.
Third, the program includes MoES institutional strengthening, which focuses on translating learning into practical workplace action. Participants will pilot a Gender Equality Management (GEM) self-assessment tool in their workplace as well as develop and deliver GEDSI projects. Through the roll-out of the GEM tool participants will be able to identify which aspects of workplace systems, policies and practices need to be improved to create a more enabling environment for women’s advancement.
Dr. Toulavanh Normeungsean, Director General of the Department of Organisation and Personnel chaired the first workshop of MoES’ Women In Leadership Program
Ms. Soutsaychai Douangsavanh President of the Lao Women’s Union (LWU) in MoES explains that the Women in Leadership (WIL) Program will provide an opportunity for LWU Committee members across MoES to develop their leadership skills
A core group of 19 Lao Women’s Union (LWU) committee members from across MoES will participate in activities across all three components. A further 75 LWU members will support this core group’s professional development and participate in related gender equality awareness raising and training activities.
Dr. Toulavanh Normeungsean explained that the WIL Program will provide a pathway for women to grow as leaders while also contributing to more gender-equitable and inclusive institutions within MoES.
Ms. Soutsaychai Douangsavanh, Director of Lao-India Entrepreneurship Development Center and President of LWU, MoES said “the WIL Program will provide an opportunity for LWU Committee members across MoES to develop their leadership skills and learn from each other. When men and women are equally supported to achieve their professional goals, everyone benefits through enhanced teamwork, increased productivity and more positive work environments”.
