Vice President of the Lao Women’s Union, Thamma Phetvixay (centre), Country Director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Laos, Myungjin Kim (left), and the Director General of the GEVAW Centre, Bounleua Chanthaphomma, on Tuesday (July 23) cut a ribbon to launch the “Guidelines for the Provision of Feminist Counselling and Support to Victims/Survivors of Violence against Women”. – Vientiane Times
VIENTIANE: A ceremony to launch the “Guidelines for the Provision of Feminist Counselling and Support to Victims/Survivors of Violence against Women” took place on Tuesday (July 23) at the Centre for Gender Equality and Elimination of Violence against Women (GEVAW Centre) in Vientiane.
The ceremony was co-chaired by the Vice President of the Lao Women’s Union, Thamma Phetvixay, and Country Director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Laos, Myungjin Kim, and attended by representatives of line ministries, relevant sectors, civil society, and development partners.
The GEVAW Centre has a key role as the central hub to promote the prevention of and response to violence against women in Laos.
It was established under the “Project on Prevention and Elimination of Violence against Women for Mainstreaming Gender into the National Development Agenda in Laos” (P-EVAW 2021-2024).
The project was a collaboration between the Lao Women’s Union and KOICA to enhance the effectiveness of prevention and response services for female victims and survivors of violence and to strengthen the capacity of service providers.
The guidelines were developed to ensure comprehensive support for victim/survivors of violence against women.
It includes theoretical knowledge on violence against women, victim/survivor-centred and gender-sensitive perspectives, feminist counselling methods, and techniques and methods for responding to different types of violence.
Case studies and good practices from South Korea were also included to demonstrate practical applications of feminist counselling and support methods.
Vice President of the Lao Women’s Union, Thamma Phetvixay, said “These guidelines will ensure that female victims of violence receive help and services in accordance with the laws of Laos and international standards.”
She added, “I support and encourage the GEVAW Centre and relevant organisations to circulate these guidelines widely in order to improve the victim assistance system in Laos.”
Country Director of the KOICA Laos Office, Myungjin Kim, said “These guidelines are designed to equip our counselling and support service providers with practical, actionable knowledge.
This will enhance their ability to offer victim-centred and compassionate counselling to victims of violence.”
The guidelines will be distributed nationwide and will be available online for not only counsellors and service providers but also as a public resource for anyone wishing to improve their knowledge of violence against women.
Additionally, video lectures based on the guidelines are being developed to ensure their accessibility and contribute to the knowledge base in order to improve the support system in Laos. – Vientiane Times/ANN
