22 June 2023, Vientiane, Lao PDR - The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Mekong Vocational Center (MVC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to join forces in empowering women and girls through essential life skills training.
“This initiative is part of UNFPA’s innovation agenda to engage private sector companies in Laos for social, educational and economic change. MVC has expertise which complements that of UNFPA. MVC is well placed to provide economic skills training to individuals receiving health, education and other essential life skills through UNFPA programmes,” said Mariam A. Khan, UNFPA Representative.
MVC is a private company with a social support component providing nutrition and farming skills training to local communities in Laos. MVC is based in Luang Prabang and provides future-changing skills by supporting disadvantaged youth and women to learn vocational skills and start their own business in agriculture and farming.
Under this partnership, UNFPA and MVC agree to collaborate and advocate for the “Noi Eco-system” to empower adolescent girls and boys, promote healthy behaviours, and strengthen life skills of young women and men out of school/from vulnerable and poor households. The aim is to accelerate the implementation of the International Conference of Population and Development Programme of Action (ICPD POA) and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mr Andrew Hepburn, Mekong Vocational Center co-Founder, said, "We are very proud to be partnering with UNFPA through our shared vision to empower young Lao lives so they can build a brighter future. For 34 years we have owned businesses & are passionate about using this experience to help the next generation succeed through next step agriculture & also trade skills that make a real difference in progressing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)."
To kick off this partnership, MVC received 05 trainees to learn more about this experience and to discover the different possibilities that can be offered to women, girls and youth in terms of skills building. In addition, MVC will implement the Noi business criteria by strengthening investments on its employees to access Adolescents and Youth Friendly Services and be aware of their rights in the areas of health, gender, education and protection.
MVC will continue to engage with UNFPA and its partners for innovative partnerships and activities through their pig farming, motorbike mechanics, jungle bees, mushrooms & fish hatchery expertise.
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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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