MoES, Australia Advance Women's Leadership and Child Protection in Education

The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) of Lao PDR, in collaboration with the Australian Embassy, hosted a joint event on July 27 to advance women's leadership and child protection in the education sector. Chaired by Dr Daravone Kittiphanh, Vice-Minister of Education and Sports, and Ms Benita Sommerville, Deputy Ambassador of Australia, the event brought together over 200 participants. Dr Daravone highlighted the importance of collective action to promote gender equality and child protection, emphasizing that it must be part of daily practice in schools, institutions, and collaborative efforts. "The MoES is committed to turning policy into action through practical tools, stronger partnerships, and wider public awareness, and we are grateful for Australia’s continued support to these important priorities," he stated. Ms Benita Sommerville added, "Australia is proud to stand alongside MoES in supporting child protection, gender equality, and the leadership of women in education. What makes this partnership so valuable is not only its long history, but the way we translate shared values into actions, through practical tools, training, communication, and collaboration that make a difference for schools and communities." The event showcased the important role women play in the education sector as thought leaders, decision makers, and agents of change. Leaders from the Lao Women’s Union (LWU) presented their five-year action plan and guided guests through an exhibition on the LWU's history. The occasion also provided an opportunity to put the MoES’ new Women In Leadership (WIL) program into practice. Launched in May 2026 with Australia’s support, the WIL program aims to strengthen the integration of Gender Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Children's Rights (GEDSI) in the workplace through training for LWU members. Following the main event, LWU members involved in the WIL program delivered training on gender equality and child protection to a broader group of 75 LWU members. Additionally, the MoES received a handover of video and IT equipment valued at 37,662 AUD from Australia to support its media team's work. This equipment will be utilized for communication efforts on key priorities such as foundational learning, inclusive education, gender equality, and child protection. Furthermore, the MoES central and sub-national media team, along with journalists, participated in training to enhance their understanding of responsible reporting, child safeguarding, safe photography and filming of children, and gender-responsive communication. This training underscored the media's role in disseminating messages that safe schools are essential for children's wellbeing, participation, attendance, and learning. In Laos' one-party system, collaboration between government agencies and international partners plays a significant role in implementing social policies. Support from foreign entities is often crucial for realizing policies, particularly in areas like women's empowerment and child protection. While relations with neighboring countries like China and Vietnam form the bedrock of Laos' foreign policy, partnerships with nations such as Australia bring diverse approaches to addressing specific social issues. Source: KPL Laos News