Advancing Women's Leadership in the Judiciary in Lao PDR

Development Challenge

Women remain underrepresented in leadership positions within the judiciary in Lao PDR despite progress in women’s participation as judges. Structural barriers, limited mentoring opportunities, and weak institutional mechanisms continue to affect women’s advancement and gender-responsive reforms within the justice sector.

Project Background

The project supports the People’s Supreme Court to strengthen women’s leadership and institutional gender reforms through leadership development, peer learning, gender-responsive training, and support for the Women Judges Network and PSC Gender Action Plan.

Expected Results

  • Stronger leadership and professional networks for women judges 
  • Gender equality priorities integrated into PSC planning and training systems 
  • Increased institutional dialogue on gender-responsive justice reforms 
  • Sustainable training mechanisms established through the PSC Judicial Training Institute

Key Achievement

Leadership initiatives conducted for over 70 judges, development of the PSC Gender Action Plan (2026–2030) initiated, and a gender-responsive adjudication training package under development.

 

Project Details  

  • Status: On-going  
  • Duration: 2025 - 2026
  • Focus area: access to justice and rule of law
  • Implementing partner: the People's Supreme Court
  • Total project budget: 100,000 USD  
  • Donor: Germany

 

Contacts

United Nations Development Programme
Lane Xang Avenue
P.O. Box 345 Vientiane, Lao PDR
Email: info.la@undp.org
Tel: +856 (0) 21 267 777
Fax: +856 (0) 21 267 799


 

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