MoES and Australia Collaborate to Elevate Women’s Leadership in Education

Vientiane: The Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR (MoES), in collaboration with Australia through the BEQUAL program, commemorated the Lao Women's Union (LWU) establishment day with a series of public events and training activities in Vientiane on 27 and 28 July 2026. The event underscored the joint commitment to advancing women's leadership and child protection in the education sector. According to Lao News Agency, the event was chaired by Dr. Daravone Kittiphanh, Vice-Minister of Education and Sports, and Ms. Benita Sommerville, Deputy Ambassador of Australia. It drew over 200 participants, including Directors General of MoES departments, LWU members, representatives from mass organizations, party institutions, media directors, and journalists. Notable guests included Ms. Phasouk Vongvichit, Vice-President of the Central Lao Women Union, Ms. Mina Sivilay, Deputy Secretary General of the Central Committee, Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union, and Mr. Savankhone Razmountry, President of the Lao J ournalist Association. Dr. Daravone emphasized the significance of collective action in promoting gender equality and child protection. She highlighted the event as a testament to MoES' commitment to translating policy into action through practical tools, partnerships, and public awareness, acknowledging the ongoing support from Australia. Ms. Sommerville expressed Australia's pride in supporting MoES' efforts for child protection, gender equality, and women's leadership in education. She noted the partnership's value lies in its history and the translation of shared values into tangible actions, benefiting schools and communities. The event celebrated women's pivotal role in the education sector as leaders and change agents. LWU leaders presented their strategy and five-year action plan and guided attendees through an exhibition on LWU's history. The occasion marked the implementation of MoES' new Women In Leadership (WIL) program, launched in May 2026 with Australia's backing. The program aims to enhance GEDSI integration in the workplace through a training-of-trainers approach. Subsequently, 19 LWU members delivered training on gender equality and child protection to 75 LWU members from MoES. Dr. Daravone underscored the LWU's role in ensuring women's voices contribute to a more equitable education sector. The event and subsequent training facilitated collaboration between LWU members and MoES' Division for the Advancement of Women, Mothers, and Children (DAWMC) to promote child protection and gender equality. The Information Media Center and DAWMC unveiled the first public screening of MoES' child protection and safeguarding video. Supported by Australia, the video aims to make protection guidelines more practical and accessible for educators. It highlights key 'Do's and Don'ts' of child protection, encourages reporting of suspicious behavior, and uses animation to convey messages safely. Australia also provided video and IT equipment valued at 37,662 AUD (585,793,000 LAK) to bolster MoES' media capabili ties. Ms. Sommerville highlighted the media's crucial role in communicating development priorities, especially for vulnerable children, and expressed Australia's support for MoES' media efforts. Following the event, MoES' central and sub-national media teams, alongside other journalists, participated in training to enhance their understanding of responsible reporting, child safeguarding, and gender-responsive communication. Delivered by gender trainers from DAWMC and the National University of Laos, the training emphasized the media's role in promoting safe schools for children's wellbeing and learning. Dr. Daravone concluded by urging continued collaboration across MoES, the Lao Women's Union, and partners to turn guidance into practical action, raise gender equality awareness, and create safer schools. Ms. Sommerville echoed the sentiment, praising the partnership's achievements in uniting women's leadership, child protection, and gender equality under one agenda for action.