Vietnamese and Lao female law makers met yesterday in the central city of Đà Nẵng to discuss the role of women in law making. — VNA/VNS Photo Trọng Đức

ĐÀ NẴNG — Vietnamese and Lao female law makers met yesterday in the central city of Đà Nẵng to discuss the role of women in law making.

In her opening remark, Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân, Poliburo member of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee and Chairwoman of the Việt Nam National Assembly (NA), said the workshop was a good opportunity for Vietnamese and Lao lawmakers to share their experiences.

“In the current 14th NA legislature, we have 132 female deputies, accounting for 26.7 per cent of the deputies – an increase of 2.3 per cent compared to the previous legislature,” Ngân said. In her opinion, that number reflects the increasing prestige and important role played by female deputies.

“The workshop today is an occasion for Vietnamese and Laos female lawmakers to share their experiences, particularly in developing laws on women and children and gender equality,” Ngân said.

Ngân spoke highly of the role played by Laos women lawmakers in term of the number and their contributions. She said in the current 8th legislature, 41 out of 149 law makers were female, accounting for 27.5 per cent. What’s more important, many of them hold high positions in the Laos National Assembly.

In her speech, Pany Yathotou, Lao National Assembly Chairwoman cum politburo member of the Communist Party Central Committee, said the workshop was an event of great significance as the two countries would soon celebrate the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

“This workshop has special significance in improving the effectiveness of activities by the two nations, particularly the process of institutionalising all issues relating to gender equality and protecting women’s and children’s rights," Pany Yathotou said.

She expressed her hope that the workshop would contribute to tightening the special Laos-Việt Nam relationship in general, and ties between female deputies of the two nations.

“Vietnamese and Laos female deputies will share their experiences and seek effective legal measures to solve all issues that their countries are facing in the course of their socio- economic development,” Pany Yathotou added.

The presented at the one-day workshop focused on three topics: the role of female law makers; their experiences in law making; and their experiences in the supervision of laws’ implementation. — VNS