15 October 2024 – Vientiane: The Ministry of Education and Sports and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in collaboration with local and international partners, including Plan International Laos, Population Services International Laos, Save the Children Laos, Care International Laos, Room to Read Laos, Gender and Development Association, Promotion of Family Health Association and Crowne Plaza Hotel, gathered to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child and the 8th anniversary of the Noi Framework under the theme: "Girls’ Vision for the Future."

About the International Day of the Girl Child, the United Nations General Assembly declared 11 October as the International Day of the Girl Child in Resolution 66/170, adopted on 19 December 2011. Since then, 11 October has been celebrated every year as the International Day of the Girl Child to recognize the rights of girls and the unique challenges faced by girls around the world.

In 2016, Lao PDR launched the Noi approach and created Noi, representing all adolescent girls (over 700,000) in the country. She was created as an entry point for dialogue and to draw attention to the unique needs of adolescent girls as well as boys. Since then, the Noi's anniversary has been celebrated every year on 11 October to celebrate the progress related to adolescent programming and partnership building and to reinforce our commitment to promoting the empowerment of adolescent girls and boys with a vision of "leaving no one behind."

This significant event underscored the collective commitment of all participants to champion gender equality and empower adolescent girls. The celebration was chaired by H.E. Mr  Kingmano Phommahaxay, Deputy Minister of Education and Sports and co-chaired by UNFPA Country Representative for Lao PDR, Dr. Bakhtiyor Kadyrov. A special highlight of the occasion was the celebration of Noi's 18th birthday, symbolizing the progress made in advocating for the rights and well-being of adolescent girls in Lao PDR.

Noi, a representation of all adolescent girls in Lao PDR, was introduced on the International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC) in 2016. She serves as a holistic framework adopted by the Government of Lao PDR to address critical issues such as malnutrition, education, gender inequality, health, and overall well-being, while striving for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and embodying the spirit of leaving no one behind.

While our support extends to boys, individuals with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups, it is crucial to recognize that young women in the community face greater disadvantages than men. We need a clear policy and plan that goes beyond mere assistance to actively empower them. These young women should have the opportunity to participate in policy decisions and the implementation of the national development plans. Together, we must unite to support and empower them, ensuring access to quality health care, education, employment, social protection, and the chance to realize their dreams.

Said Mr. Kingmano Phommahaxay, Deputy Minister of Education and Sports.

Lao PDR currently faces one of the highest adolescent pregnancy rates in the region, with the adolescent birth rate rising from 83 per 1,000 in 2017 to 89 per 1,000 in 2023. Furthermore, the percentage of girls aged 15-19 who are currently married or in union has increased from 23.5% in 2017 to 26.5% in 2023.

Highlighting adolescent pregnancy as the focal point of this year’s IDGC sheds light on the unique national challenges posed by persistent harmful social norms, gaps in data and capacity, and the socioeconomic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Adolescent pregnancy not only jeopardizes the health and well-being of young mothers and their babies but also constitutes a violation of human rights, hindering personal, educational, and economic development.

Dr. Bakhtiyor Kadyrov, UNFPA Country Representative for Lao PDR, emphasized the importance of investing in adolescent girls to exercise their rights and to access opportunities:

Today, as we celebrate the 18th birthday of “Noi”, let’s renew our commitment to empower girls with critical life skills and the right to choose.  The vision and potential of more than 700,000 adolescent girls in Lao PDR represent immense possibilities for the present and future of the country. Investing in the health, well-being and capabilities of adolescent girls will not only empower them, but also benefit their families and the next generation. Empowering adolescent girls will maximize the country’s human capital necessary for sustainable development

Ms. Carol Mortensen, Country Director of Plan International Laos, emphasised the strong partnership between Plan International Laos and UNFPA in raising awareness of the critical issues impacting adolescents, particularly girls.

Since 2016, we have proudly co-chaired the International Day of the Girl with UNFPA at the national level, championing girls' rights and promoting gender equality. Locally, we remain deeply committed to empowering adolescent girls to take control of their bodies and their futures, ensuring they can learn, lead, decide, and thrive in a just and equal world.

Participants also reviewed progress towards achieving the goals outlined in the Noi 2030 Framework related to SDGs 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8. Efforts include the integration of comprehensive sexuality education, improved access to sexual health information and services, and mental health support for survivors of gender-based violence.

A poignant moment of the event included the collective cutting of a cake to celebrate Noi’s birthday, followed by the voices of adolescent girls who shared their concerns regarding their rights and choices, particularly in the realm of sexual and reproductive health.

As the IDGC 2024 concluded, participants made a series of commitments to ensure the achievement of the Noi 2030 Framework and to guarantee that no adolescent girl is left behind in realizing her rights and choices by:

• Strengthening Multi-Sectoral Collaboration to enhance partnerships among government ministries, development partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector and create a unified approach in addressing child marriage and other challenges faced by adolescent girls.
• Promoting Adolescent-Centered Programming to advocate for ongoing refinements and expansions of adolescent programming under the Noi framework, ensuring initiatives are evidence-based and effectively meet the needs of adolescent girls.
• Empowering Adolescent Girls by providing platforms and opportunities for adolescent girls to express their concerns, share experiences, and advocate for their rights, particularly in sexual and reproductive health and rights.
• Advancing National Progress by fostering joint actions and ownership under the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and National Commitment to Population and Development (NCPD) to advance the Noi 2030 Framework and ensure tangible outcomes for adolescent girls.
• Raising Awareness and Advocacy to amplify public awareness and advocacy efforts focused on investing in adolescent girls, emphasizing the long-term benefits of protecting their rights and supporting their choices.