14 December 2023, Vientiane, Lao PDR - Lao Women’s Union (LWU), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and UN-Habitat, with generous contributions from the Government of Japan, officially opened two new "Counseling and Protection Centers for Women and Children" in Bolikhamxay and Champasak Province. These are the country's 5thand 6th protection centers for survivors of violence to seek accommodation and shelter, counseling, psychosocial support, legal advice, and vocational training. Staff can also refer survivors to additional health and justice services available in the province and nationwide.
One in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence, and these global statistics correspond with the 2014 national VAW prevalence study in Lao PDR–one in three women in Laos ever-partnered have experienced physical, sexual and/or emotional violence. The national survey also showed that only 10 in 100 women shared their experience of violence with others, and only 2 in 100 survivors sought assistance and services.
Mme. Aly Vongnobhountham, President of LWU, said, “From this moment onwards, these centers will provide services based on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Social, Health sectors, Coordination and Referral Pathways for GBV. I trust that the great leadership at the provincial level will ensure that survivors of violence receive essential social and health services, and they can effectively refer survivors to each other and the justice sector based on survivors’ needs.”
The establishment of three (3) additional shelters for survivors of violence falls under the implementation of the National Plan of Action on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Children (2021-2026), and is pursuant to the Government of Laos’ ICPD commitment to end GBV by 2030. It is a milestone achievement of the "Safer Cities" project, implemented by UNFPA in cooperation with the Government of Lao PDR and UN-HABITAT.
H.E. Kenichi Kobayashi, Ambassador of Japan to Lao PDR, said, “The completion of the Counseling and Protection Center for Women and Children marks a milestone in the project's success, but our efforts will and must continue. As long as violence against women and girls remains a universal challenge, we need to address it.”
In addition to the significant contribution from the people of Japan, the governors of Bolikhamxay and Champasak provinces have also demonstrated the ownership and commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls, especially those who experience violence, by allocating plots of land, equipment and human resources to strengthen the two protection centers.
H.E. Kongkeo Xaysongkham, Governor of Bolikhamxay, said, “I have high regard for the commitment of the government to build this center as there are many concerning issues in our community, particularly violence. When women and children can access services promptly and get protected under the justice system, they will be empowered and can make choices with the rights they deserve.”
H.E. Vilayvong Boutdakham, Governor of Champasak, said, “The creation of a center to help women and girls is imperative as it creates a safe environment for women and girls who are victims of all forms of violence. This is so that they can have protection, more accessible and faster legal assistance to combat and suppress the violence, to uphold tranquility, and bring order to our communities in Champasak province.”
UNFPA and partners will continue supporting newly established shelters in Bolikhamxay, Champasak, Attapeu, Savannakhet, Vientiane Capital and Bokeo including through capacity building and ensuring SOPs rollout to operationalize the shelters using a survivor-centered approach. Nevertheless, further investment and financial support are still needed to reach the ultimate goal - establishing a shelter in every province and ensuring accessible services for all women and girls by trained health, social, police and justice personnel able to provide care and support meeting international standards.
Dr. Bakhtiyor Kadyrov, UNFPA Representative, said, “The importance of this protection shelter is not just the physical infrastructure. Rather, it embodies the notable commitment of the Government of Laos’ to protect and promote women’s and girls’ rights, dignity and wellbeing. It represents a world where women and girls can have their calls for help answered, their needs met, their resilience built, and their futures free from violence.”
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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:
laos.office@unfpa.org
