Ms Inthana Bouphasavanh and Mr Khamphone Sipaseuth shake hands after signing a Memorandum of Understanding in Vientiane on November 25.

Laos, US partner to expand access to justice for women and children

More women and children in Laos will be able to gain to the justice system through an expanded partnership between Laos and the United States.
This will be achieved based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Laos’ Ministry of Justice and the Association for the Development of Women and Legal Education (ADWLE) on November 25, coinciding with International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. 

(From left) Ms Lillian Dang, Mr Michael McCord, Mr Khamphone Sipaseuth, and Ms  Inthana Bouphasavanh pose for a photo following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the ‘Promotion of Gender Equality and Empowerment of Citizens’ Access to Justice Project’ in Vientiane on November 25.”

Globally, almost one in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence at least once in their life, and many suffer in silence.  This occurs similarly in Laos.
The Laos-US partnership aims to enhance access to justice for women and children through a two-year project titled “Promotion of Gender Equality and Empowerment of Citizens’ Access to Justice”, supported with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through a legal aid support initiative implemented by The Asia Foundation.
The Association for the Development of Women and Legal Education, a non-profit association led by a female leader, works to raise awareness on gender equality and laws relating to women, empower women within communities, and train village authorities, village mediation units, and various law enforcement officers to better identify and respond to violence against women.
With USAID support since 2019, the association’s legal clinics have served over 300 clients (261 women), many of whom had suffered some form of violence. ADWLE has provided legal representation for child rape victims, persons with disabilities, and women affected by harmful customary practices.
Speaking at the MOU signing ceremony, Director General of the Ministry of Justice’s Department of International Cooperation, Mr Khamphone Sipaseuth, said “Our justice sector has collaborated with ADWLE to enhance the skills of legal aid personnel to improve and strengthen these legal aid services for impoverished and vulnerable people, women and children affected by gender-based violence, and other groups, to promote access to justice by all citizens equally.”
USAID Country Representative to Laos, Mr Michael McCord, highlighted the importance of the expanding partnership with the Ministry of Justice and ADWLE in improving women’s access to justice and responding to the needs of survivors of violence.
“USAID is proud to support the Association for the Development of Women and Legal Education in Laos since 2019.  With this MOU, the association will continue to provide vital legal aid services to women and children, as well as expand its activities to Oudomxay province to serve the justice needs of rural communities in the country’s north.  The United States remains committed to supporting the Government of Laos to attain its development goals,” Mr McCord said.
Under the MOU, the Association for the Development of Women and Legal Education and the Ministry of Justice will continue to work in Xaythany, Xaysettha, and Sangthong districts of Vientiane until July 2026, and extend this successful model to Nga and Namor  districts in Oudomxay province.
The MOU was signed by Mr Khamphone Sipaseuth and the Director of ADWLE, Ms Inthana Bouphasavanh.
The signing ceremony was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Justice; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Offices of Provincial Government; Offices of Justice in Vientiane and Oudomxay province; Lao Women’s Union; and development partners including USAID and The Asia Foundation.
 In 2015, the Association for the Development of Women and Legal Education established the first-ever community legal aid clinic in Laos offering free legal services for vulnerable women and children. 
With the support of The Asia Foundation through the USAID-funded Legal Aid Support Programme, the association set up two more legal aid clinics in Vientiane. 
These clinics offer a full range of legal services from the provision of legal advice, to assistance with legal documents, and lawyer representation in litigation. 
ADWLE also trains volunteer village paralegals to provide frontline assistance and act as a bridge between village communities and the legal aid clinics.
If you or someone you know has experienced violence, legal advice is available from the ADWLE’s Women’s Assistance and Counselling Office, telephone 020 5259 5955.

ByTimes Reporters
 (Latest Update November 27, 2024)