Deputy PM calls for greater focus on rights of adolescent girls
 
Young people living in rural areas are still struggling to complete their education, leading to a high school dropout rate and many early marriages among young women.
This was the message from Deputy Prime Minister and Chairperson of the National Commission for the Advancement of Women, Mothers and Children, Prof. Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, when speaking at a meeting recently on Laos’ commitment to advance the rights of adolescent girls.

Prof. Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune.

Other reasons for the slow progress of rural populations are lack of awareness and understanding combined with the continuing practice of local customs and traditional beliefs, he said.
He called on all parties to encourage, spread information and raise awareness about gender equality and sexual violence and to implement the Family Law in cooperation with local communities, community leaders, groups and families, especially in remote areas.
More should be done to prevent early marriage and raise awareness of the disadvantages of this practice, he added.
Everyone should be encouraged to get a full education and girls in particular should be discouraged from dropping out of school.
Dr Kikeo said it was essential for all those involved to ensure full participation in compulsory primary education, reduce the class repetition rate in primary schools, and reduce the dropout rate in lower secondary schools.
“We need to ensure proper school management and administration on the part of administrators, teachers, education development boards and parents’ associations,” he added.
“Much more must be done to encourage communities to participate in the development of the school environment and ensure that girls attend school, as well as promoting professional and life skills so that more people are able to earn a decent income and improve their living standards,” he said.
At the local level, the National Commission for the Advancement of Women, Mothers and Children should work closely with central government and local authorities to ensure that children grow up in good physical and mental health and gain sufficient knowledge and skills to earn a living, he advised.
The general living environment of children should be improved with the aim of reducing poverty and upholding the rights of children, especially girls, Dr Kikeo said.
The government’s five-year National Socio-economic Development Plan, the national action plan on gender equality, the national action plan on mothers and children, and the national action plan to prevent and eliminate violence against women and children (from 2021-2025) place a strong focus on social protection strategies and the prevention of child labour.
These support the government’s overall commitment to promoting children’s rights and empowering young women to play a more productive role in life.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
 (Latest Update November 11, 2022)