The Ministry of Planning and Investment and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with Plan International and partners, celebrated all adolescents in Lao PDR, 7th Noi framework anniversary and Noi’s 17th birthday under the theme: “Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our leadership, Our Well-being”. The event was held on 31st October 2023 at Muong Thanh Luxury Hotel which was chaired by H.E Madame Phonevanh Outhavong, Vice Minister, Ministry of Planning and Investment and Co-chaired by Dr. Bakhtiyor Kadyrov, UNFPA Country Representative for Lao PDR.
In over all, the event were attended by representatives from high level Government official, Embassies, UN agencies, INGOs network, civil society organizations, private sectors, and young people from different schools gathered in Vientiane Capital to celebrate the updates and achievements related to the health, education, empowerment and protection of adolescent girls. This celebration also reaffirmed all stakeholders' commitment to being allies and champions for promoting gender equality and empowering adolescent girls.
Speaking at the event, H.E Madame Phonevanh Outhavong, vice minister, Ministry of Planning and Investment extended her appreciation to all sectors for their investment in giving adolescent girls a chance to be a force for positive change. She said: “Today's celebration is very important as it is an opportunity to reiterate the pledge and commitments agreed upon, recently at the National Conference on Population and Development. In Lao PDR, youth aged 10 to 24 years old represent 30 percent of the total population, providing a great source of human capital for the country’s development: today and in the upcoming years. It is time to address all challenges faced by girls in accessing education, sexual and reproductive health, life skills and empowerment. This will ensure access to quality information, informed choices and fulfillment of their rights to enter the job market in the future confident and capable and to participate in the development agenda in Lao PDR.”
Investing in girls is investing in a shared future. The theme for this year’s International Day of the Girl Child “Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our leadership, Our Well-being” highlights the importance of giving the space to girls to play a positive role in shaping their own future through enjoyment of their fundamental rights and leading the socio-economic progress of their communities and nation.
Dr. Bakhtiyor Kadyrov, UNFPA Country Representative for Lao PDR, said "there are three imperatives for investing in young boys and girls to realize the demographic dividend: The first imperative is about adolescents and youth rights, which is about empowering them to make informed choices about their life and reproductive health; the second one is the development imperative which involves maximizing the human capital necessary for sustainable development; the third one is the demographic imperative. Countries with large shares of adolescents and youth have an opportunity to accelerate economic development, resilience, sustainability, and productivity.”
Ms Carol Anne Mortensen, the Country Director of Plan International Laos, said “Girls’ activism is essential to achieving gender equality and building a more just and equitable world. Yet, girl activists face a multitude of challenges, including a lack of funding, hostility from community members, and online abuse. Come and join us to encourage everyone to invest more in girl activists that will break down the barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential.”
In Laos, more than 1 in 5 girls have dropped out of school, more than 1 in 20 of young girls have never attended school, nearly 1 in 5 girls aged 15 – 19 years are married and most importantly more than 1 in 10 girls aged 15 – 19 years have already become mothers. With multiple pregnancies, their health continues to suffer and remains at high risk of maternal mortality and morbidity. Sustainable development can only be achieved if young people are healthy, educated and empowered to make informed decisions and resilient in the face of change. Fully engaged, educated, healthy and productive adolescents and youth are resilient in the face of personal and societal challenges, and, as skilled and informed citizens, can contribute effectively to the strengthening of their communities and the nation as a whole.
Young people celebrated Girl Child Day in the afternoon with informative talks, cultural performances highlighting the issues, aspirations and creativity of the young generation and with inspiring experiences of their leadership to create a better future.
Ms Manee Vang, 15 years old adolescent girl, from Hmong ethnic group, enrolled in vocational training in Luang Prabang with UNFPA and Mekong Vocational Center expressed her happiness to meet all adolescent girls present at the celebration. She said: “I am glad to receive this opportunity to dream of a better future. Coming from an ethnic community, I feel grateful that I am receiving training and support to have a brilliant future. I am convinced of the role I can play in my village, with my family and in the future for my country. I hope more girls will get the same chance”
In conclusion of the marking of the IDGC 2023, the presenters’ specific insights and action points were summarized as follows:
Address child marriage and teenage pregnancy through inclusive and targeted implementation of adolescent and youth policies and programmes, including accelerated implementation of the 'Noi framework', backed by partnership arrangements, multi-sectoral coordination and financial resources.
Accelerate the implementation of the Criteria for ‘Noi’ Friendly Business Entities
Continuing to make Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and Basic Life Skills Training accessible in and out of school to all young people and supporting strategic interventions such as providing financial assistance and accommodation for increasing girls’ retention in schools. Organize a national CSE conference in 2024.
Invest in technical, vocational skills development in urban areas to empower adolescent girls and boys and youth
Generate evidence on health and gender dimensions of climate change, including sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence with a special focus on adolescent girls and women in rural areas.
Mobilize partnerships and resources in support of strengthening youth friendly sexual and reproductive health services.
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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 recognise 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.
About UNFPA
UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency that works in over 150 countries including Lao PDR, to achieve zero maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning, and zero gender-based violence.
About Plan International
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children's rights and equality for girls.
We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And its girls who are most affected. Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.
We support children's rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.
We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years and are now active in more than 75 countries.
The International Day of the Girl Child 2023 was celebrated with support and contribution from UNFPA Laos, Plan International Laos, Population Services International Laos - PSI Laos, Save the Children in Laos, CARE International in Laos, UNICEF Laos, Canada Embassy in Laos, UTD Education, Crowne Plaza Vientiane, BFL BRED Group, PFHA - Promotion of Family Health Association, Vientiane Youth Clinic, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs - Luxembourg, SUOMI FINLAND, and other partners.
