Government of Japan supports UNFPA, LWU to protect survivors of violence in Borikhamxay, Champassak

The Lao Women’s Union, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and UN-Habitat, with generous contributions from the Government of Japan, officially opened two new Counselling and Protection Centres for Women and Children in Borikhamxay and Champassak provinces on Thursday.

Japanese Ambassador to Laos, Mr Kenichi Kobayashi (second right), cuts a ribbon to open new Counselling and Protection Centres for Women and Children.

These are the country’s fifth and sixth protection centres for survivors of violence to seek accommodation and shelter, counselling, psychosocial support, legal advice, and vocational training. Staff can also refer survivors to additional health and justice services available in the province and nationwide.
One in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence, and these global statistics correspond with the 2014 national Violence against Women prevalence study conducted in Laos.
The study revealed that one in three women in Laos had experienced physical, sexual and emotional violence at the hands of their partner. The national survey also showed that only 10 in 100 women shared their experience of violence with others, and only 2 in 100 survivors sought assistance and services.
The President of the Lao Women’s Union, Mrs Aly Vongnobhountham, said “From this moment onwards, these centres will provide services based on the Standard Operating Procedures for the social and health sectors, and coordination and referral pathways for gender-based violence. I trust that the great leadership at the provincial level will ensure that survivors of violence receive essential social and health services, and they can effectively refer survivors to each other and the justice sector based on survivors’ needs.”
The establishment of three additional shelters for survivors of violence falls under the National Plan of Action on Preventing and Combatting Violence Against Women and Children (2021-2026), and is pursuant to the Lao government’s ICPD commitment to end gender-based violence by 2030. It is a milestone achievement of the “Safer Cities” project, implemented by UNFPA in cooperation with the government and UN-HABITAT.
The Ambassador of Japan to Laos, Mr Kenichi Kobayashi, said “The completion of the Counselling and Protection Centre for Women and Children marks a milestone in the project’s success, but our efforts will and must continue. As long as violence against women and girls remains a universal challenge, we need to address it.”
In addition to the significant contribution from the people of Japan, the governors of Borikhamxay and Champassak provinces have demonstrated ownership and commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls, especially those who experience violence, by allocating plots of land, equipment and human resources to strengthen the two protection centres.
The Governor of Borikhamxay province, Mr Kongkeo Xaysongkham, said “I have high regard for the commitment of the government in building this centre as there are many concerning issues in our community, particularly violence. When women and children can access services promptly and get protected under the justice system, they will be empowered and can make choices with the rights they deserve.”
The Governor of Champassak province, Mr Vilayvong Boutdakham, said “The creation of a centre to help women and girls is imperative as it creates a safe environment for women and girls who are victims of all forms of violence. This is so that they can have protection, more accessible and faster legal assistance to combat and suppress violence, uphold tranquility, and bring order to our communities in Champassak province.”
UNFPA and partners will continue supporting newly established shelters in Borikhamxay, Champassak, Attapeu, Savannakhet and Bokeo provinces, and in Vientiane, including through capacity building and ensuring the rollout of Standard Operating Procedures to operationalise the shelters using a survivor-centred approach.
Nevertheless, further investment and financial support are still needed to reach the ultimate goal of establishing a shelter in every province and ensuring accessible services for all women and girls by trained health, social, police and justice personnel able to provide care and meet international standards.
UNFPA Representative to Laos, Dr Bakhtiyor Kadyrov, said “The importance of protection shelters is not just the physical infrastructure. Rather, they embody the notable commitment of the government to protect and promote women’s and girls’ rights, dignity and wellbeing. This represents a world where women and girls can have their calls for help answered, their needs met, their resilience built, and their futures free from violence.”

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update December 15, 2023)