HomeNet Laos (HNL) devised the “Gender-based economic empowerment in Laos” project for strengthening the capacities of women to demonstrate their rights to become active citizens and influence local development processes. The project collaborated with local partner organisations that included the Lao Women’s Union, the Lao Youth Union, and the Lao Federation of Trade Unions, as well as the private sector, Non-Profit Associations (NPAs) and International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) to improve the livelihoods of women and their families, including access to relevant training, increased capacities and skills. 

The project reached 237 women aged between 20-60 years, who received training on leadership, finance and business management as well as communications and report writing. Among the rightsholders, some were trained as trainers on leadership skills and the Gender Action Learning System (GALS) with a focus on gender rights as well as associated roles and responsibilities of different genders. HNL ensured that all women and men participating in the project were involved in its planning, implementation, as well as monitoring and evaluation. 

The project has been able to build the capacities and skills of women to raise their voices. Project participants used their increased capacities and skills in their daily lives, with positive outcomes such as married couples gaining better understanding of their complimentary roles at home as well as women gaining more confidence in expressing their opinions and participating in local government meetings. At the domestic level, the project improved women’s roles in household decision-making. At the community level, attitudes regarding women’s involvement and engagement improved. As such, the project was able to influence change in gender norms, attitudes and behaviours within communities as well as women’s social empowerment against authorities such as government administrators or local leaders. 

“We learned how to strengthen the target community and understand and reduce gender roles imbalances because of this grant. We also discovered many ideas while discussing the potential and strengthening of the community through the implementation of many corporate activities. So, even after the project is completed, our team will continue to work hard to achieve equal rights for women and men in families and societies. We will take advantage of any opportunities that are made available to us to improve our team’s activities.” – The HNL team 

 As a positive effect of implementing the project, HNL evolved from an informal organisation supported by the Gender Development Association (GDA) to an official organisation recognised by the government and registered under the name Informal Worker Advancement Association (IWAA).