26 June 2023, Vientiane, Lao PDR - The Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) today awarded Ms Mariam A. Khan, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative, with the Cross of Friendship Medal, in recognition of her important contribution to the Lao National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP).
At the ceremony, H.E. Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Lao Government, commended and expressed gratitude for the extensive UNFPA achievements under Ms Khan's leadership.
Ms Khan assumed her role in UNFPA Lao PDR in 2018, bringing over 22 years of experience in leading and managing development programmes, humanitarian response, change management initiatives and her strong passion for promoting a rights-based agenda that focuses on improving the lives of women and young people of the country.
During her tenure, Ms Khan led system building initiatives to improve rights of women, girls and vulnerable groups. The efforts focused on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, gender equality, prevention of violence and women’s empowerment, population dynamics and development, all aimed at ensuring that Lao adolescents & youth reach their full potential and the country can realise its potential for a demographic dividend.
In close collaboration with Government, development partners and the private sector, Ms Khan has contributed significantly to advancing the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Lao PDR, aligning with the IX NSEDP.
Ms Khan proactively supported the Lao Government during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that women and girls continue to access reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH) services via innovative telehealth, leaving no one behind.
This week, on behalf of UNFPA, Ms Mariam A. Khan also accepted the Youth Engagement Medal, the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union (LPRYU)'s highest award and she was also personally honoured with the LPRYU 65th Year Commemorative Medal by H.E. Monxay Laomuasong, Secretary of the LPRYU for championing Adolescent and Youth development in the past four and a half years.
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UNFPA, the U.N.'s sexual and reproductive health agency, works in over 150 countries, including Lao PDR, to achieve zero maternal deaths, zero unmet family planning needs, and zero gender-based violence.
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