PM speaks out in support of ending violence against women

Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh has voiced concern over the persistent violence against women and girls, saying their rights continue to be violated.
Addressing a recent event to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, with the theme for this year being “Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now”, the prime minister stressed the importance of encouraging all generations to properly recognise and understand that violence against women and girls is a violation of their basic human rights.

According to figures from the Centre for Counselling and Protection of Women and Children and the Lao Women’s Union’s Centre for Victims of Various Forms of Counselling and Assistance in 2021, a total of 584 cases of abuse were reported over the past year, involving 403 females and 181 males over the age of 18.
Most of the problems involve peer pressure, husband and wife quarrels, physical abuse, rape and other forms of abuse and violence, which are not reducing in number.
Mr Phankham said he hoped International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women would continue to raise awareness of the problem and motivate everyone to work together to achieve gender equality.
It was important for everyone in society to respect and honour each other without discrimination against women, he added.
This means that men, women, girls and boys have equal rights to live and work with dignity, to contribute to the development process, and to build a safe and just society.
Over the past year, despite the numerous challenges posed by the Covid-19 outbreak, Mr Phankham said the government has tried to prevent and address violence against women and girls in various ways.
This has been done by working to fulfil the obligations of international conventions to which Laos is a party, by integrating the contents of the conventions relating to women’s rights and gender equality into various forms of legislation, and approving and promulgating three national action plans.
These plans are the National Action Plan for Gender Equality, National Action Plan for Mothers and Children, and the National Action Plan for the Prevention and Elimination of Violence against Women and Violence against Children, which cover the period 2021-2025.
The plans will be vehicles for work to promote the advancement of women and gender equality, so that targets are achieved, including the fifth Sustainable Development Goal.
However, Laos faces many challenges in trying to change people’s behaviour and mindset in this regard.
Among the obstacles are longstanding traditions, outdated stereotypes and economic hardship. Poverty remains an obstacle to changing people’s attitudes, and violence against women and girls is still considered normal and acceptable by many.
In addition, the number of knowledgeable and experienced personnel and funds available to support efforts to end violence is limited.
Nevertheless, the government is working to create society-wide awareness of the Party and State’s guidelines on preventing and eradicating violence against women and children, the prime minister said.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update November 29, 2021)