Day: December 17, 2021

Some 1,702 new Covid-19 cases and four new deaths have been recorded nationwide over the previous 24 hours, bringing the total to 96,256 including 12,300 active cases and 266 deaths, according to the National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control.

Deputy Director General of the Department of Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Health Dr Sisavath Soutthanilaxay told a press conference today that all of the new cases were community infections with 914 reported in Vientiane, 146 in Bokeo, 93 in Phongsaly, 91 in Luang Prabang, 71 in Oudomxay, 70 in Luang Namtha, 46 in Savannakhet, 44 in Vientiane (province), 32 in Xayaboury and 31 in Xieng Khuang.

Meanwhile, 29 cases were documented in Borikhamxay, 28 in Xekong, 26 in Champassak, 23 in Khammuan, 21 in Saravan, 14 in Huanphan, 12 in Xaysomboun and 11 in Attapeu.

Yesterday witnessed 534 Covid-19 patients discharged from hospitals nationwide

Source: Lao News Agency

Women and girls at quarantine and treatment facilities in 16 provinces will receive hygiene kits to support their sexual and reproductive health and rights during COVID-19.

Over 5,000 women and girls will receive hygiene kits consisting of toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, reusable masks, sanitary pads, and buckets.

Good Neighbour Laos has contributed US$50,000 through the UNFPA network of partnerships and services.

The handover ceremony was convened at the Lao Women’s Union, attended by its president Inlavanh Keobounphanh; Director of the Department of Hygiene and Health Promotion, Ministry of Health, Dr Phonepaseuth Ounaphom; Country Director of Good Neighbor Laos Yongki Choi; and UNFPA Representative for the Lao PDR Mariam A. Khan.

The President of the Lao Women Union expressed her appreciation to UNFPA and Good Neighbor Laos for their support.

“These hygiene kits are important and necessary to protect women and girls’ sexual and reproductive health at the quarantine centres. As COVID-19 infections continue to increase in many provinces, these essential supplies are urgently needed. Therefore, we must ensure continuity of assistance to women and girls, especially providing hygiene kits so they can protect themselves and prevent COVID-19 infection,” said Ms Inlavanh.

Dr. Phonepaseuth said, “Services on sexual and reproductive health, including maternal health for women and pregnant women, must be continually provided, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure women of reproductive age, pregnant women, and mothers are healthy and safe. These essential supplies will contribute to ensuring that. ”

UNFPA Representative for Lao PDR Mariam A. Khan said, “We must protect women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, especially in times of crisis like COVID 19 pandemic. The unique health needs of women and girls require women-centered and specific responses. This valuable contribution from Good Neighbor Laos will enable women and girls to have access to essential items they need to keep them safe and healthy during the quarantine period.”

Source: Lao News Agency

NCAWMC, with support from UNFPA and UNICEF, on Dec 16 officially launched the 4th National Plan of Action on Gender Equality (2021-2025), the 2nd National Plan of Action on Violence against Women and Children (2021-2025), the 3rd National Plan of Action on Mothers and Children (2021-2025), and National Women Development Plan (2021-2025).

Developed through technical and financial support from UNFPA, funding from KOICA and other partners, the government endorsed the National Action Plans in May this year and through October, November, integrated them into provincial and sectoral plans across 18 provinces.

Mr Kikeo Khaikhamphitoun, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairperson of NCAWMC “Gender equality is fundamental to advancing women’s rights and eliminating violence against women and children. In the past, NCAWMC had put in significant efforts to research, develop, and implement past National Action Plans and other instruments as references to integrate these plans into sectoral and provincial socio-economic plans. In the next five years, we will continue to implement the new National Action Plans, with a specific focus on creating equal opportunities for women and men in all spheres, investing in human resources development, strengthening law enforcement, and implementing international treaties and instruments on women’s and children’s rights, as well as raising public awareness for behavior change.”

The National Plan of Action on Violence against Women and Children focuses on three core areas to address violence against women and children: prevention, response, and multisectoral coordination. The National Plan of Action on Gender Equality prioritizes women’s health and reproductive health, political participation, economic empowerment, education, employment, and social protection.

UNFPA Representative for Lao PDR Mariam A. Khan congratulated NCAWMC for its leadership in preparing and launching the plans. She said, “The Action Plans are timely as COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted women and girls across all spheres. Implementing these plans to promote gender equality and prevent and respond to violence against women and girls over the next five years will be essential for Laos’ economic growth and recovery. The plans integrate the Lao Government’s commitments to promote gender equality and eliminate GBV, including obligations under CEDAW, the ICPD25 commitments, the Beijing Platform for Action and the SDGs.”

Ms. Khan also thanked KOICA, DFAT, UK, SDC, and other partners for their support and partnerships in ending GBV under the umbrella of the Essential Services Package for Women and Girls Subject to Violence (ESP). “The UNFPA and Government of Laos’ 7th Country Programme (2022-2026) will scale up GBV prevention and response by rolling out the ESP, implementing the NAPs, and ensuring high-quality services are available to survivors of violence in every province. In addition, existing protection services will be upgraded and new protection shelters will be established to provide social services, including shelter, psychosocial support, medical and legal assistance, essential supplies, and vocational training to survivors of violence,” she added.

Source: Lao News Agency

The Lao Youth Union’s Technical and Vocational Training Centre is designed to educate and counsel youth in Khammuan on basic employee and self-employment skills in the agricultural sector, spurring innovation and expanding the technical and vocational training network.

In collaboration with the Lao Youth Union (LYU), the model Youth Technical and Vocational Training programme, supported by the Russian Federation and UNDP, aims to strengthen the rural and agricultural livelihoods capacities of marginal or disadvantaged youth in the central province.

With a special focus on the agricultural sector, it will help those disadvantaged youth to utilize their limited capital assets in their homeland to generate their own incomes with enhanced agricultural skills.

On Tuesday, Dec 14, the Governor of Khammuan Province, Lao Youth’s Union and Provincial Youth’s Union hosted the grand opening of Technical and Vocational Training Centre for Youth, which was held in Thakhek district, Khammuan Province.

Efforts will also be made to improve collaboration among businesses, policymakers, and education and vocational training bodies in developing curricula based on labour market and capacity assessments and forecasts.

“I believe that “Vocational Training Centre” which we are opening today, will provide a solid assistance in supporting young people of Khammuan Province in realizing their potentials, developing professional skills and ensuring their participation in the efficient implementation of the National Socio-Economic Development Plan of the Lao PDR,” said Russian Ambassador to the Lao PDR Vladimir A. Kalinin.

Ms. Ricarda Rieger said, “Youth trained in this centre will take the knowledge back to their home communities and can contribute to healthier nutrition and improved agricultural practices thereby also protecting the planet we all rely on”.

As a contribution under the “Enhancing Social and Economic Opportunities for Youth in the Lao PDR” project, it enables an environment for youth to develop and realize their potentials, which promotes inclusive youth social and economic engagement.

Twenty trainees, of which 65% are female and 35% are of ethnic groups, including Makong and Phuthai, have been recruited.

The six-session training programme includes mushroom growing, plant propagation, gardening, frog, fish, and cricket raising.

“It was mentioned in the project proposal that 60%-80% of trainees have to become employed or self-employed after graduation. Therefore, the committee of the Provincial Youth’s Union must take this seriously to achieve the goal,” stated Secretary General of the Lao Youth’s Union Alounxai Sounnalath.

Mentors and facilitators who are experts in the field will also provide advisory services to the trained youth after completion of the course and aid their access to markets.

Source: Lao News Agency