I. Opening and closing ceremonies

The opening remarks will be a given by the senior government officials and a representative of development partners:
• Minister, Ministry of Industry and Commerce;
• President, Lao Women’s Business Association;
• Representative, World Bank in Lao PDR.

II. Objective

The primary objective of the Second Public Women’s Economic Empowerment Event (2nd Public Event, here after) is to engage men in the dialogue on gender equality and emphasize their crucial role in promoting women’s economic empowerment. By showcasing recognized male figures in business, sport, academia, entertainment, or government who are positive gender role models, we aim to inspire and empower other men, as well as the wider community, to support and actively participate in advancing gender equality in all strata of society. A special attention will also be drawn to the campaigns for preventing and ending violence against women and girls. These activities are planned to take place from 25 Nov to 10 Dec this year, globally and nationally. The 2nd Public Event will be an excellent opportunity to enforce the notion that fight against violence requires a continuous effort by all concerned parties, especially men. The 2nd Public Event is also another opportune occasion to feature achievements of the Lao Competitiveness and Trade Project in the context of its support to national gender mainstreaming strategy.

III. Venue and time

The event will be held on 14th December 2023 in the afternoon (from 13.00 to 17.30 hours). To make it a truly public event, the NIU chose a venue in the Landmark hotel, located in the center of Vientiane capital and thus easily reached by all.

IV. Target audience

About 250 to 300 participants from Lao Women Entrepreneurs’ Association, LNCCI, foreign chambers, embassies, UN agencies, INGOs, university students (Faculty of economic and business management), Commerce College, LCTP’s Implementing Agencies, LCTP’s beneficiaries and partners in other AFT projects, media, and others who are interesting in gender and trade linkages as well as wish to support ending violence against women and girls. There will be a registration form available online for the public to register and others will be sent invitation letters from the NIU.

V. Proposed activities

Activity 01: Keynote speakers
This session features recognized male CEOs or officials who have implemented gender-inclusive policies in their organizations and have been active allies in the fight for gender equality and/or to stop violence against women and girls:
1. Mr. Oudet Souvannavong, President, Lao National Chamber of Commerce, and Industry (LNCCI). He will speak on Men’s role in supporting gender equality and ending violence against women and girls in Lao PDR and, given his familiarity with the LCTP and the Gender mainstreaming project, he will also make comments on the relevance of these projects.
2. Mr. Taro Amornched, CEO & Co-founder of Take Me Tour, Thai speaker, he will speak on men’s role supporting women in tourism sector which has been impacted by drivers of change in a form of digital technology and changes in demand.
Activity 02: Panel discussion on Lao men supporting women in business sectors
This is a moderated panel discussion exploring how men could be more effective allies to women in their struggle to overcome obstacles to their empowerment and equality. The panel will also emphasize that achieving gender equality is a win-win for all (demystifying often held view that women’s empowerment weakens a position of men). This moderated panel engages both men and women from Laos. One important issue to be tackled by the panelists is the role of men in preventing and stopping violence against women and girls.

Moderator: Mr. Inphan Borihan, Freelance MC and Moderator

Panelists:
1. Mr. Bounthieng Lattanavong, Managing Director at iJobs Company Limited. He will speak on men’s role in supporting women in agriculture business, and reducing gender inequality and gender-based violence against women migration workers.
2. Mr. Anousa Suannavong, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Cyberia Co., Ltd. He will speak on men’s role in supporting women in digital sector.
3. Mrs. Souvita Phasueth, President of Lao handicraft association. She will speak on challenges faced by women in handicraft innovation.
4. Mrs. Duangmala Phommavong, Co-Founder and Partner of EXO Travel Laos. She will speak about experiences in her line of work in a tourism sector.

Activity 03: Participatory activity

There will be a “wishing” trees positioned in front or around the venue and participants will be invited to hang their messages about their views or questions related to the promotion of gender equality and ending domestic violence against women and girls. They can also write about their ideas and aspirations relevant to furthering gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in their community or at work. The organizer “will inform attendees that if posting questions, these might be passed to the moderator to be addressed in the panel session.

Activity 04: Media engagement:

The Second Public Event will be recorded as a VDO and edited to add English subtitles before being posted on the T4D NIU’s Facebook page and the YouTube channel after the event. To assure a bigger and wider audience and awareness building, the organizer is collaborating with national communication consultant team to design IEC materials and promote the event through the local social medias such as Tholakhong Facebook Page, Lao Youth Radio Facebook Page and selected relevant influencers to promote the event and share posts on their social media networks. Photo booth will be set up at the event and encourage participants who are active on social media to use a specific hashtag, e.g., #Men4Equality and #MenAgainstViolence when posting about the event.

Activity 05: Feedback and reflection messages

The organizer will distribute feedback sticker notes to attendees to gather insights on what they learned, how they plan to use information they gathered at the event and to pass on any suggestions they may have for the next event. There will be dedicated self-standing boards where participants can place their sticker notes.
Activity 06: Post-event action points
After the event, NIU will use the T4D NIU Facebook page, YouTube, and LinkedIn to disseminate a highlight video capturing the essence of the event and to introduce some resources and reading materials for attendees to continue their education on the topic.

VI. Tentative agenda

Time                  Activity
13:00 – 13:30 Registration and make a wish (Sommith Manylert, National gender consultant)
13:30 – 14:00 Opening remarks:
– Minister, Ministry of Industry and Commerce
– President, Lao Women’s Business Association
– Representative, World Bank in Lao PDR
14:00 -14:30 Men’s role in supporting gender equality and ending violence against women and girls in Lao PDR
Speaker: Mr. Oudet Souvannavong, President, Lao National Chamber of Commerce, and Industry (LNCCI)
14:30 – 14:50 Questions and discussion
14:50– 15:20 Men supporting women in tourism sector by Mr. Taro Amornched, CEO & Co-founder of Take Me Tour
15:20 – 15:40 Questions and discussion