9 March 2022, Vientiane Capital - Women and men from the government, embassies, international organizations, civil society organizations, non-profit organizations, business sectors, media and youth, advocate for women’s rights and gender equality today at the French Institute. The event was hosted by the Embassy of France in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Institute of Research for Development (IRD) and the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), to mark the International Women’s Day with the theme: Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.
Picture 1: Ms. Mariam A. KHAN, UNFPA Representative to Lao PDR giving her opening remark. Photo by: Sisavath/UNFPA.
In her opening remark, Ms. Mariam A. KHAN, UNFPA Representative to Lao PDR said: As we celebrate progress and achievements, we need to recognise that globally and locally, COVID-19 has set back progress to realize women’s rights and advance equality. This IWD let’s recognise that men, women, youth have increasingly lived their lives online since the COVID pandemic began, yet online protection for human beings especially women and girls is highly limited. That is why UNFPA has initiated a global effort to respect and protect digital presence through the #bodyright campaign.
Picture 2: Mme. Chansoda PHONETHIP, Vice- President of the National Commision for the Advancement of Women and Mother and Child and Vice President of Lao Women’s Union giving her remark. Photo by: Sisavath/UNFPA.
Mme. Chansoda PHONETHIP, Vice- President of the National Commision for the Advancement of Women and Mother and Child and Vice President of Lao Women’s Union, thanked the Embassy of France and UNFPA for collaboration and highlighted the government’s effort to advance women’s rights and gender equality. “The Lao Women’s Union and NCAWMC are committed to support the country through national policies and guidance on women’s empowerment and gender equality including implementation and reporting to international conventions and treaties” she said.
Picture 3: H.E. Siv-Leng CHHUOR, French Ambassador giving her opening remark. Photo by: Sisavath/UNFPA.
H.E. Siv-Leng CHHUOR, French Ambassador, said: “France strives to ensure that promoting gender equality is integrated into all its actions. This means that this objective of reducing inequalities between men and women must be transcribed in the actions we carry out, in Laos and elsewhere, whatever the sector: sustainable development, education, culture, climate change, etc., ensuring that women are the primary beneficiaries.”
The advocacy and networking event presented global commitments to advance women’s rights reflected in the Lao national laws, policies and strategies. These rights include the right to sexual and reproductive health; the right to safe pregnancy, childbirth and life-saving abortion; the right to decide number and spacing of children, access to a full range of contraceptives; the right to bodily autonomy and decision-making around sexual and reproductive health; the right to equality and live free from discrimination, violence and harmful practices, among others. Laws, policies and national plans implemented in Lao PDR to protect those rights were also promoted to strengthen women’s knowledge and awareness of those existing protection mechanisms.
Picture 3: A photographic exhibition about cultural matrimony. Photo by: Sisavath/UNFPA.
The French Research Institute for Development (IRD), in close coordination with the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) and the French Institute showcase a photographic exhibition about cultural matrimony, shown through portraits of women artists, specialists in the art of handmade paper or silk embroidery and dancers from the Fang Lao troupe in Vientiane.
Picture 4: Participants engaging in the #bodyright campaign. Photo by: Sisavath/UNFPA.
At the event, participants were invited to join UNFPA’s global campaign on body right to end online violence by using the symbol ‘b’ which is the global bodyright symbol. The campaign is ongoing and everyone can join by scanning the QR below or go to UNFPA Laos Facebook page for more instructions.
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UNFPA, the UN's sexual and reproductive health agency, works in over 150 countries including Lao PDR, to achieve zero maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning and zero gender-based violence.
For more information please contact:
Ms. Vanly Lorkuangming
Communications and Partnerships Analyst, UNFPA Laos
Mr. Pierre Jouneaux
Communication Officer, French Embassy to Lao PDR
pierre.jouneaux@diplomatie.gouv.fr
