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Vientiane, December 14-15th, 2020. UNFPA and the British Embassy in Lao PDR are supporting the Savannakhet province Lao Women’s Union’s shelter for female survivors of violence. In Savannakhet LWU is also implementing the Women’s 3 Goods Handbook in Sepone district.

Ms Mariam A Khan, UNFPA Representative and H.E Mr John Pearson, British Ambassador to Lao PDR joined the Savanakhet Vice Governor and LWU Vice President to inaugurate the opening of the women’s shelter on 14th December. 

 

UNFPA is supporting the shelter as part of the broader support to Lao PDR for setting up the Essential Services Package for survivors of violence. The Essential Services Package is a guidance tool identifying the essential services to be provided to all women and girls who have experienced gender-based violence, including services that should be provided by the health, social services, police and justice sectors. Implementation of the Essential Services Package will involve co-ordinated multisectoral responses to violence against women and girls.

 

The UNFPA team provided technical support to the Savannakhet LWU shelter service providers on how to strengthen the provision of essential services to survivors of gender-based violence.  Including ensuring capacity to accommodate women who require safe spaces and protection services, reviewing the operationalization of the shelter, and improving systems, processes and referral pathways.

 

On the 15th December, the UNFPA team visited Sepone district to monitor the implementation of the Women’s 3 Goods Handbook. The 3 Goods Handbook aims to empower women to realise their rights, especially sexual and reproductive rights. It relies on recommendations that align with the National ICDP25 commitments, Noi framework and CEDAW observations. The Handbook gives guidance on community, household and individual aspects such as  i) safety of bathrooms and lighting, ii) equal housework responsibilities between men and women boys and girls iii) equal educational opportunities for girls and boys, iv) prevention of marriage under 18 years, v) engaging men for prenatal care and ensure women give birth with a skilled attendant at a health center or home.
 

Ms Mariam A. Khan, UNFPA Representative, noted that “UNFPA’s support is to protect the rights of women and girls, including to complete secondary education, increase representation of women in decision-making positions at the village level, and protect young girls from child marriage”.

 

Madam Bouachanh Sihanard, Vice President of Lao Women’s Union, said: “The Women’s 3 Goods handbook was developed in line with the Women's Development Plan and National Social and Economic Development Plan. The implementation of this handbook will improve health and well-being of women and girls, family as well as contributing to the development of the country.” 

 

For more information please contact:

 

Ms. Sisouvanh Vorabouth, 

Programme Gender Analyst

Email: vorabouth@unfpa.org

 

Miss Phetmany Viyadeth,

National Communication Consultant UNFPA Lao PDR

Email: viyadeth@unfpa.org

 

 

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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