Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. - Photo: Vientiane Times/ANN
VIENTIANE: Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has reaffirmed Laos’ commitment to ending violence against women and girls, marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
This year’s event, held under the theme “Marking 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: Together to End Violence Against Women and Girls”, highlights this dedication.
In a statement marking Nov 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Prime Minister highlighted the global effort to combat violence against women and girls, calling it a severe violation of fundamental human rights.
Citing data from UN Women, he noted that nearly one in three women, globally around 736 million, have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.
Over the past year, one in eight women aged 15-49 reported experiencing violence from an intimate partner, underlining the urgent need for action.
In 2024, Laos prioritised enhancing services for women and children affected by violence under the “No Wrong Door” principle. Training was conducted for 700 service providers at the central level, including 630 women and 70 men, across six provinces and 10 districts.
To strengthen support systems, coordination and referral committees were established in six provinces and six districts, ensuring a more effective response to victims’ needs.
The government has expanded the number of counselling and protection centres for women and children to five, enhanced victim assistance facilities at Mahosot Hospital and the Mother and Child Central Hospital, and established Laos’ first one-stop health service point at Mahosot Hospital.
A dedicated hotline, 1527, will also be introduced to provide immediate support for those in need.
The government has empowered women economically by providing access to the SME Development Fund, enabling them to start and operate businesses.
This includes strengthening access to finance, enhancing financial services, and equipping financial providers with the knowledge to design and promote SME-friendly products.
The Prime Minister stressed Laos’ commitment to achieving the goals of the Beijing Declaration by reviewing progress, enhancing accountability, and allocating resources to implement protective measures for women and girls.
This year’s theme emphasises collective reflection on the past three decades’ achievements and challenges, while renewing global efforts to create a safer and more inclusive world for women and girls. - Vientiane Times/ANN
