Conference shines spotlight on nation’s family planning policy

Laos will continue to work with its development partners, including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to make policy breakthroughs on the national family planning programme.
Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, Dr Kikeo Chanthaboury, made the remarks in Vientiane on Friday at the convening of an annual meeting to review progress made in implementing the country programme between Laos and UNFPA.
“Lao authorities are working closely together with the UNFPA-Laos country programme to develop the Population and Development Policy (2019-2030), and the National Adolescents and Youth Policy has entered the stage of final review with increased financial resources from the government,” he said.

In addition to UNFPA’s support, there was a revision of the national reproductive and maternal health strategy, and integration of comprehensive sexuality education in secondary and other related education systems, he said.
The Lao government has committed to using population data and projections in the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan and to end unmet needs for family planning, including among adolescent girls and harmful practices such as early marriage by 2030.
In addition, the government is dedicated to ensuring that youth receive age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education through school curriculums nationwide; finalising and implementing policies and the Gender Law; and increasing investments for adolescents, especially young women through the ‘Noi framework’ and ‘Noi ecosystem’.
During the meeting, line ministries and counterparts shared the key achievements made this year and the challenges remaining.
UNFPA Representative to the Lao PDR, Mrs Mariam Khan, thanked the Ministry of Planning and Investment and counterparts for the trusted long-term partnership and continued support to advance the International Conference on Population and Development mandate in Laos.
She said the UNFPA and partners would continue to engage young people to take action on sexual reproductive health, gender, climate change, and other broad development issues.
In 2019, the UNFPA has expanded partnerships with new partners, including the media and private sector, and raised half a million US dollars. This has enabled the UNFPA and partners to engage young people more effectively, to extend the reach to the most vulnerable groups and to be stronger in advocacy in line with the 2030 Noi Framework.
At the meeting, the Mid-term Review findings were shared and discussed. As a tool to enhance results-based programme management and delivery, the UNFPA Programme Implementation Manual was distributed to all implementation partners.
Line ministries and counterparts reached consensus on the priories for next year. The 2030 Noi Framework will continue to build platforms for collaborative efforts to advocate for greater investments in adolescent girls. Gender equality will be mainstreamed to tackle the root causes of gender-based violence, early marriage, and unwanted pregnancy.

By Phetphoxay  Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update December 16, 2019)