Day: March 7, 2023

The theme for the International Women’s Day this year (IWD 2023) is the impact of virtual and technological progress in all spheres of life: “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”.

We are delighted to be united in our collective efforts to accelerate the achievement of gender equality!

Coming out of a few years of COVID-19 impact, when too many of us spent too much time in the virtual world, it is essential to consider how digitalisation and innovation can be a source for gender equality and equity, for promoting rights and choices! The washing machine, the microwave oven, the contraceptive pill were all revolutionary in their time. They improved the lives of generations of women before us, leaving them more time for themselves and givingthem control over their own bodies. What new technological breakthroughs will be game changers for a more gender equal world for the next generation of women and girls?

We can share some of the results and impacts we would like to see from an increasingly digitalised world with innovative technology. So here are some of our thoughts to innovators and disruptors of conventions. We would like to see access to online information and opportunities equalised; we would like to see safety for women, girls and vulnerable groups in online spaces; we would like to see accountability of those in power to make these spaces equal and safe for women and girls, irrespective of their sexual orientation. Sexual orientation and gender identity are integral aspects of ourselves and should never lead to discrimination or abuse.

The Lao PDR consistently supports progressive international conversations and consensus around women’s rights, many of which are reflected in national laws and policies. Innovations such as the ‘Noi Framework’ in Laos highlight the demographic case for investments in the adolescent girl, receiving widespread Government support. During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth for maternal health was initiated and will now be mainstreamed, and remote counselling for mental health and psychosocial well-being of individuals was increased. Education curricula were improved, including Comprehensive Sexuality Education access through online videos, and the Noi Yakhoo Application was launched. These are all relevant and important initiatives, aimed also at reducing the digital divide in Laos, as a pre-condition to make technology accessible to all.

Aligned with this year’s IWD theme, here are four areas we think require urgent attention in Laos:

Literacy and education: COVID-19 increased school dropout rates. Today, proactive enrolment and retention in schools of girls and boys need to be ensured. Providing teachers and students with better digital skills and access to technologies can help keep girls in school, especially amongst the poorest, while diverse learning opportunities in person and online, such as Khang Panya, should be accessible to those who have dropped out.

Health and Mental health: To protect maternal health, increase, in particular national budgets for contraceptives and maternal health. Women who can choose if, when and how many children to have, will access more opportunities for themselves and their children. Family planning gives the highest return on investment within the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and Nutrition, and can also reduce stunting in children under 5 by over 5.4%. Expanding services such as telehealth can ensure uninterrupted access to reproductive health information, services and care for women and girls. While remote counselling and de-stigmatising access to mental health for all, women and girls as well as men and boys can improve women’s safety and security.

Finance and economic empowerment: Less than one-third of women have bank accounts with a financial institution. Only 2.2% of women-led businesses use information communication technology to sell their products compared to 3.3% of men-led businesses. In a survey on access to trade finance, 70% of businesswomen reported that their credit applications were totally or partially rejected. E-business and e-banking have great potential for expanding women’s access to finance and business, but technology must be combined with effective financial, digital, and entrepreneurship literacy and accessibility.

Safety in person and online: Data shows that just like in real life, women and girls are targeted far more online. This is known as technology facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). This has severe impacts on their mental well-being as well as safety and security. Raise awareness of protection laws that exist and increase online protection mechanisms, for example, by promoting public campaigns such as #bodyright, which rolled out in 2022 in Laos.

So please, as you celebrate yourself or the women and girls in your lives, take a moment to consider their rights and their choices. It’s a day to consider whether technology and innovation around you are inclusive of the rights of women and girls, [of vulnerable groups, of LGBTIQ+], if it keeps them safe and ideally expands their opportunities!

Happy International Women’s Day from us to you! We are convinced that if we work together, build on each other’s efforts, next year we can celebrate accelerated progress in Laos for use of technology and innovation to protect the rights and choices of women and girls!

Source: Lao News Agency

By the road towards the country’s largest gold mine in Sepon, Savannakhet Province, lie peaceful villages where five girls began their journey to realize their dreams, coordinated by the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoEs) and UNFPA, in partnership with Crowne Plaza Vientiane, Pakpasak Technical College and partners.

Today, the second batch of Five Nang Noi mentors officially completed a three-month training programme to acquire culinary skills, strengthen their financial literacy and life skills with Crowne Plaza Vientiane Hotel, Pakpasak Technical College, Banque Franco-Lao (BFL) Bank and the Vientiane Youth Centre.

Mr Sisana Boupha, Director-General of Non-Formal Education, Ministry of Education and Sports said, “As a part of the Nang Noi Girls Group Programme, this initiative helps minimise the knowledge gap in Comprehensive Sexuality Education and equality between urban and rural. The programme also efficiently improves the non-formal education in Laos and contributes to the 9th five-year Education and Sports Development Plan (2021-2025) so that everyone can improve their life skills and live their life with joy and stability.”

Keota, Thongmai, Khen, Honey, and Lampheng, five of the Nang Noi mentors, arrived in Vientiane in November 2022 to hone their skills and ignite their potential for entrepreneurship, which will contribute to Laos’ economic growth. This innovative endeavor comes from the “Noi ecosystem” which also promotes partnerships between the public and private sector to support Nang Noi Girls in their path towards empowerment.

Mariam A. Khan said, “These promising young girls represent the hopes and dreams of over 720,000 Lao adolescent girls. With this unique learning opportunity, the sky is the limit for them! UNFPA stands by every single one of them to realise their dreams. ”

Mr Nattawut Wetprasit, Director of Operations and HR, said, “Crowne Plaza Vientiane is very proud of all the five girls, and we are glad to be a part of the second batch of this meaningful programme. Crowne Plaza will continue our support on their income generation and help set up their businesses back in their hometown.”

Mr Saysamone Ngamsy, Director of Pakpasak Technical College, said, “Our college is pleased to contribute to the Nang Noi mentors programme as we are fully equipped with facilities and human resources to provide the necessary training. We are delighted to work with all partners and hope to continue this effort in empowering our young women from the rural area.”

Ms Honey Vixaykoumman, one of the mentors from Alai Yai village, shared her reflection on the three-month programme “I am just an ordinary girl from an outskirt part of the town where my house sits right next to the forest. Back in Sepon, I learned so much from my four years under the Nang Noi mentor programme. And now, with this opportunity in the big city, I am even more confident, I have many new skills, know how to plan my future and am more knowledgeable on my sexual and reproductive health.”

Source: Lao News Agency