DPC, MOIC organized a 2-day workshop on Gender Mainstreaming on Women and Business

November 10-11, 2022, at Lao Plaza Hotel in Vientiane Capital, The Department of Planning and Cooperation, Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC), organized a two-day workshop on “Gender Mainstreaming on Women and Business” supported by the Lao Competitiveness and Trade project (LCT), which is funded by The World Bank Group, Australian Aid, Irish Aid, and USAID.

The workshop was co-chaired by Mr. Sengphanomchone Inthasane, Deputy Director General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation (DPC) and Ms. Sommaiy Phoummounivong, the Deputy Director General of the Department of Organization and Personnel (DOP), Ministry of Industry and Commerce, with participations of gender focal points in all project implementing agencies (IAs), representatives from all departments of MOIC and National Implementation Unit (NIU) staff in total of 34 participants. The workshop was facilitated by TAKSA, the social training center with an experience and expertise on women empowerment and gender mainstreaming.

The principal objective of the workshop was to establish structures and processes that will promote effective mainstreaming of gender in the LCT project and other Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) Projects and improve staff member’s appreciation, understanding, awareness and capacities to integrate gender in all aspects of their work. Promoting gender equality is a core development objective for Lao PDR, especially by encouraging men and women to play an equal role in socioeconomic development and managing natural resources and project design recognized that attention needs to be paid to gender equality and women’s advancement.

In his opening remark, Mr. Sengphanomchone Inthasane emphasized that gender integration is very important, and it is necessary for women to have the capability and opportunity to participate in socio-economic development. In addition, Ms. Sommaiy Phoummounivong also stressed the importance of gender mainstreaming in trade and private sector development.

During the workshop, the participants discussed gender’s role and analyzed  the challenges  of gender equality and gender mainstreaming in trade under LCT project. The team building activities were organized to facilitate a better understanding of the gender issues that happen in the community and to raise awareness about gender equality that is used to describe the equal treatment of all genders.

Objectives of the Lao Competitiveness and Trade Project (LCT) is to reduce and eradicate constraints of business growth by the technical and budget assistance to improve business environment as well as to improve the regulatory environment, lowering trade costs and raising firm-level competitiveness.