Vientiane, 28 January 2025 – The Government of Lao PDR, through the Department of Water Resources (DWR), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has conducted a series of four-day training workshops on disaster risk reduction, focusing on empowering women and communities. The workshops were organized in four districts in Khammouane (23-30 December 2024) and Champasak provinces (20-27 January 2025) as part of the project entitled “Enhanced Integrated Water Management and Resilience in Vulnerable Urban Areas of the Mekong River Basin” (ROK Mekong). A total of 193 participants, including 112 women, were trained.
The objective was to strengthen local communities’ resilience in the Xe Bang Fai and Xe Don river basins through greater involvement of women in decision-making on integrated water resources management and sanitation. The workshops also focused on encouraging entrepreneurial skills in water-related sectors and addressing systemic barriers that hinder equal participation, equipping participants with new tools and knowledge to empower women and girls to contribute and benefit equally.
With 60% of the Mekong River flowing through Lao PDR, the region faces significant challenges, from seasonal flooding to the impacts of climate change and hydro dams. Women and girls often bear the responsibility for the health and hygiene of the family and are excluded from key decision-making processes.
The training brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including national, provincial, and district levels representatives, as well as local NGOs and CSOs. Village heads, key community influencers, and participants from underrepresented groups—including women leaders, persons with disabilities, and members of ethnic minorities—also attended. Reflecting the focus on gender equity, the workshops prioritized women’s participation.
Mr. Khamxay Khonmany, Chief of DoNRE in Sanasomboun District, and Mr. Kingkham Manivong, Deputy Director General of the Department of Water Resources at MONRE, stressed the importance of the training, highlighting how it empowers women to participate in decision-making processes related to disaster risk reduction.
The training sought to equip participants, especially women, with the skills to develop disaster risk reduction plans tailored to their communities’ needs, improve knowledge-sharing mechanisms, and explore economic opportunities in water management and sanitation. It also addressed human rights issues as part of a comprehensive approach to building resilience. By empowering women, encouraging collaboration across diverse groups, and adopting an integrated approach, the training lays the foundation for safer, more inclusive communities across Lao PDR.