Vientiane, 29 April 2026 – The People’s Supreme Court, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Lao PDR, convened a national Leadership Dialogue with Senior Women Judges at the National Institute of Justice. 

The event was co-chaired by Mr. Xaysomphone Phetsomphou, Director General of the Research and Training Institute of the People’s Supreme Court, and Ms. Martine Therer, Resident Representative of UNDP Lao PDR. 

The event brought together 74 participants, including senior judges, junior judges, trainees from the National Institute of Justice, university law students, and development partners. It provided a platform to highlight the role of women judges in strengthening access to justice, promoting professional excellence, and building public trust in the judicial system, while fostering meaningful exchange between experienced judges and the next generation of legal professionals. 

Ms. Dalounny Keomanyvanh, Judge Level 1, People’s Court Area 2, shared: 

“Participating in today’s discussion and exchange has given me inspiration, new perspectives, and greater motivation. Seeing the importance that the international community places on women judges encourages me to be more dedicated to my work, to make it more modern, efficient, and just.” 

Mr. Siphone Vue, Student, Faculty of Law and Political Science, noted: 

“I feel proud and inspired to see the role of women in the justice sector. Listening to the experiences of capable female judges has helped me recognize the importance of gender equality within the court system and strengthened my confidence in the justice process.” 

During the dialogue, Mr. Xaysomphone Phetsomphou reaffirmed the Court’s commitment to strengthening judicial professionalism, leadership development, and institutional effectiveness, in line with its Five-Year Development Plan 2026 - 2030. The Court also emphasized the importance of strengthening implementation to ensure that commitments to judicial reform and gender equality are translated into practice across the court system. 

The dialogue featured panel discussions with senior women judges, focusing on improving access to justice for vulnerable populations and sharing practical experiences on leadership, career pathways, and professional development. Participants discussed the importance of fair and responsive judicial processes, as well as the role of women judges in strengthening trust and inclusiveness in the justice system. 

Speaking at the event, Martine Therer, Resident Representative of UNDP Lao PDR, noted: 

“Women judges bring professional excellence and perspectives shaped by lived experience. They help courts respond to gender-based violence, improve protection for those in vulnerable situations, and strengthen consistency and fairness in decision-making. They also build confidence, especially for women and girls, by showing that the judiciary reflects the society it serves.” 

The dialogue also underscored the importance of investing in the next generation of justice professionals. Students and trainees engaged directly with senior judges, gaining practical insights into the role of the judiciary and the values of professionalism, integrity, and public service. 

The event forms part of the ongoing collaboration between UNDP and the People’s Supreme Court under the Gender Justice Platform, a joint initiative of UNDP and UN Women. In Lao PDR, this partnership supports efforts to strengthen women’s leadership in the judiciary and enhance gender-responsive adjudication through institutional reforms, capacity development, and mentorship initiatives, with financial support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). 
 
Key initiatives include follow-up to the 2024 Gender Audit of the judiciary and the development of a Gender Action Plan aligned with the Court’s Five-Year Development Plan, as well as efforts to establish a Women Judges Network and strengthen training and professional development opportunities for women judges. 

Gender equality is central to UNDP’s governance and rule of law work. Through partnerships with the National Assembly, government agencies including the judiciary and line ministries, UNDP supports women’s leadership and gender-responsive policymaking, ensuring institutions serve all equally. These efforts align with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).