05 May 2023, Vientiane, Lao PDR - The Lao Youth Union (LYU), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Lao-China Railway (LCR) launched counselling helpline materials at all railway stations and sub-stations in Laos. Posters and videos with information on sexual and reproductive health, mental health and psychosocial support helplines will be displayed at train stations and disseminated to passengers. This is in collaboration with the UNAIDS UN joint programme.
Laos has a young population with almost half of the population below 25 years old. Youth are the driving force for the country's economic development, social welfare, and future prosperity. Young people are also crucial players in accelerating the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) programme of action.
However, youth in Laos face multiple vulnerabilities including poverty, limited access to youth friendly health services and poor nutrition. Challenges to their livelihoods and well-being include few opportunities for economic empowerment and gaining essential life skills. Girls from remote areas, poor families and those who are from ethnic groups are particularly vulnerable to early/child marriage, adolescent pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, violence and pregnancy-related complications.
Mr. Souliya Keophilavong, Permanent Secretary of the Lao's People Revolutionary Youth Union, said, “the Government of Lao PDR has put immense efforts into addressing adolescent girls' vulnerabilities. Together with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and partners, Lao Youth Union utilizes the Noi framework, launched in 2016 to empower adolescent girls and boys through increased investment and comprehensive programmes.”
UNFPA programmes aim to create a conducive environment where all youth, especially girls can thrive. All adolescent girls should have the opportunities, information, and services they need to achieve their full potential, make informed decisions, and be able to choose if and when to get married and have children. The Noi approach continuously strengthens the eco-system for adolescent girls in Laos.
The Lao Youth Union led the development of adolescent and youth policy and the Youth law, which advocate for multi sector investments such as youth-friendly services training for healthcare providers; comprehensive sexuality education for students in primary and secondary schools, technical and vocational colleges; essential life-skills to adolescent girls through Nang-Noi Girls Groups; creating safe spaces for girls and women; strengthening research evidence on adolescents; and ending violence against women and girls through expanding partnerships.
Ms. Siliphone Sakulku, Officer-in-charge UNFPA, said, “The Lao-China Railway brings benefits to transportation, tourism, and many sectors in the country. With more and more commuters using the railway domestically and internationally, information and knowledge on Sexual and Reproductive Health, Gender rights, Mental Health, and Psychosocial Support will help protect travellers, esepcially young people from potential vulnerabilities and exploitations.”
In December 2021, Laos officially inaugurated the Vientiane-Boten Railway, a 422,4-kilometre (km) electrified high-speed railway between the capital and the Laos-China border at Boten. Since opening, the train has carried more than 2.4 million passengers, transporting adolescents and young people from northern provinces to the cities of Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Now with the cross-border passenger service available, the numbers of railway passengers is expected to sharply rise.
Mr. Anongdeth Phetkaisone, Deputy Managing Director of the Laos-China Railway Co., Ltd. (LCRC), said, “We are delighted to use our existing platform to help the adolescent and youth in Lao PDR. LCR will continue our support of the Lao Government and UNFPA in bringing these essential services to the adolescent and young people in the country.”
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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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