24 August 2021, Vientiane Capital - The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), released a new manual on Boys Engagement for Gender Equality as part of the Nang-Noi Girls' Groups Programme.
One hundred and twenty-six male peer educators from 63 villages of Namor district, Oudomxay province will be trained using this manual. They will lead sessions with boys in their villages and as a result, around 6,000 community members and adolescent boys will benefit from the program. The manual was developed by the Ministry of Education and Sports and UNFPA through participatory approach and is now endorsed by the Ministry of Education and Sports.
H.E. Madame Sisouk Vongvichit, Vice Minister of MOES said “I would like to thank UNFPA and KOICA for their support in the development and dissemination of the Boys Engagement Manual. I also thank their assistance over the past years for the implementation of the Nang Noi Girl Group. The implementation of the Boys Engagement is especially critical to promote and achieve gender equality.”
The Nang Noi Girls Group is a key intervention under the Noi approach that aims to empower adolescent girls through life skill training, equipping them with social, health, cognitive, and economic skills to help them to achieve their full potential. This programme is currently covering 1,800 adolescent girls from different ethnic groups in Oudomxay, Savannakhet and Bokeo provinces. In addition, the program helps them make informed decisions, so they stay in school and delay marriage and pregnancy for a better future.
“I congratulate the Ministry of Education and Sports for this innovative manual, and thank KOICA for their support. By engaging boys as equal partners in the efforts for gender equity, we are trying to foster their understanding of gender, masculinity, power dynamics as well as their roles and responsibilities in the household and society. This manual, based on good practice, is adapted to the local content” said Ms. Mariam A. Khan, Country Representative of UNFPA Laos.
“In Na Mor District, we aim to empower adolescent girls through safe spaces and create circumstances for them to build their own assets. Directing to end early marriage and pregnancy; creating an environment to let girls stay in school at least up to lower secondary. To accomplish these goals, boy’s engagement is very important because that could change social norms as well as improve sexual and reproductive health and rights particularly in rural villages,” said Madam Jeong Hee Im, KOICA Resident Representative.
Apart from the Nang Noi Girls Group, KOICA partners with UNFPA to support the government in various areas, including maternal and newborn health and midwifery programs, the advancement of women’s rights, and gender equality, and prevention of gender-based violence.
About UNFPA
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 and harmful practices towards women and girls.
About KOICA
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) was established as a government-funded agency dedicated to grant aid programs in April 1991. KOICA endeavors to combat poverty and support sustainable socio-economic growth of partner countries. By doing so, KOICA establishes and strengthens friendly ties with developing countries.
For more information please contact:
Syvongsay Changpitikoun
Programme Analyst - Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, UNFPA Laos
Vanly Lorkuangming
Communications and Partnerships Analyst, UNFPA Laos
Mr. Peexiong
Senior Specialist, KOICA
