The Lao Women’s Union (LWU) was established on July 20th, 1955. The Union’s emphasis is to heighten women’s political awareness and understanding of the government’s policies and directions, in order to defend the nation and to create better living conditions for all Laotian people. The LWU also promotes educational activities that contribute to the eradication of illiteracy, in order to achieve gender equality and the emancipation of women.