Women make up 25 percent of the National Assembly in Laos, but only two percent of local level government leadership. The Asia Foundation helped put on a workshop for women parliamentarians in an effort to increase women’s representation in public office and to help put women’s priorities on policy agendas. The training covered women’s constitutional rights, public speaking, and presentation skills and participants included women members of the National Assembly, the Lao Women’s Union, and high-ranking government officials. Soon after the workshop, participants put their training to practical use by uniting to advocate for laws that protect the rights of women and children. Their efforts resulted in extending the legal age at which women can retire to 60 years (the same as men), approving a Child Protection Act, and revising the labor laws in favor of workers’ rights.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 at 4:23 pm and is filed under | Notes from the Field .