New President of Lao Women’s Union visits Vietnam

The leaders of the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) and LWU had a cordial meeting and shared about the current situation of women and women’s movement in each country. LWU president informs VWU o­n women’s participation in politics after the 10^th Party National Congress of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. At present, there are 10 among 77 members of the Party Central Committee are women (including 7 official members and 3 alternate o­nes), accounting for 12.98% and increasing by 4,79% compared to the previous term. The 7^th National Women’s Congress of LWU (October, 2015) approved 8 key programs of this term, namely: (1) developing female human resources; (2) building strong LWU; (3) encouraging women’s in career and business development; (4) promoting women’s fine traditions associated with promoting country’s culture; (5) protecting the legitimate rights and interests of Lao women and children; (6) striving for women’s advancement and gender equality; (7) encouraging women to participate in natural resources and environmental protection; and (8) promoting international relations and cooperation. Besides, Lao has passed a Law with an increase of retirement age for women from 55 to 60, which is equal to men.

VWU President Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa also informed the delegation about women’s political participation in Vietnam, especially for the first time Vietnam has a Chairwoman of the National Assembly. Madam Hoa shared aboutVWU’s key activities to support women in capacity building, economic development, sustainable poverty reduction, child care and building happy familyand participating in new rural construction through the campaign “Building the family of 5 Without-s and 3 Clean-s”. VWU President also mentioned challenges that Vietnamese women are facing such as lower educational degree of women compared to men, gender inequality situation which has had some improvement but still remains, and other issues of women working away from home, children and women trafficking, domestic violence…

At the meeting, the leaders of the two organizations discussed about the implementation of MOU in the period of 2012 – 2017 between the both sides. Specifically, the cooperation has achieved positive development at both central and local level. The VWU supported the LWU in conducting trainings for 47 Lao female cadres as well as in microcredit development. Over the past 4 years, there have been 2 more provincial WUs in Vietnam signed cooperation agreements with provincial Lao WUs. As the result, the number of provinces signed agreement with Lao has increased up to 9/10 provinces. In terms of human trafficking, the two WU in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Security of both countries conducted a communication campaign o­n the Vietnam-Laos border line of Bolikhamxay and Quang Tri province.

Both sides have agreed to strengthen cooperation and mutual support in international integration process, in cross-border cooperation, especially in economic development and education for Lao female cadres including long-term training.

During the visit, Mrs. Truong Thi Mai - Politburo Member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Chairwomen of the Central Commission for Mass Mobilization received the delegation o­n behalf of the Party and State of Vietnam. Mrs. Truong Thi Mai congratulated the enormous, comprehensive and historical achievements by the Lao Party and State, women and people; Madam Mai also highly appreciated the cooperation between the two Women Unions over the past years and confirmed that Vietnamese Party and State always attach the importance to and support cooperation and relationship between the two WUs and women of Vietnam and Lao.

On this occasion, the delegation visited the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnamese Women’s Museum; had a working visit to the WU in Vinh Phuc province. Besides, the delegation also got to know about the activities of Tinh Thuong Microfinance Institution (TYM) in Phuc Yen commune, visited the TYM family member - Mrs. Nguyen Thi Mui who, with TYM’s support, was able to escape from poverty and develop her family economy.

This is the first working visit abroad of Mrs. Inlavanh Keobuonphanh since she became LWU’s President. The visit is a vivid demonstration of the solidarity, faithful relationship and close cooperation between women of Vietnam and Lao, contributing to the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries./.