Hybrid training on gender mainstreaming small arms control for Laotian officials, conducted by The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR
From 14 July to 16 July 2021, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR and funding from the European Union organized a training on gender mainstreaming small arms control for Laotian officials. Due to the COVID-19 related restrictions on travelling, the training was conducted in a hybrid format: participants gathered in person at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Vientiane, while UNRCPD trainers, as well as other invited experts, joined via webex and delivered presentations virtually. The training aimed at enhancing the understanding of key government officials of the relevance of gender considerations and gender responsive approaches to small arms control and equipping them with the tools to translate into practice the commitments made under SALW global instruments, such as the UN PoA. The training also raised awareness of other key instruments, such as the ATT. In total thirty-two government officials (17 women, 15 men) took part in the training, representing the following agencies and unions: Customs, Defense, Education & Sport, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Industry & Commerce, Justice, National Assembly, Prime Minister Office, Public Security, Small Arms Import / Export Agency, Women Union, Youth Union. Experts included UNFPA and UN Women.
The training was conducted as part of a global project in support of gender mainstreamed policies, programmes and actions in the fight against small arms trafficking and misuse, in line with the Women, Peace and Security agenda, implemented by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs.