Empowering Young Dreams: A Board Game for Change
How a board game is being used to raise awareness and tackle child marriage and adolescent pregnancy in Lao PDR.
14-year-old Namfon has big dreams for her future.
A secondary school student living in the Lao PDR’s famed mountainous province of Luang Prabang, Namfon aspires to become a rescue volunteer, a noble occupation that speaks to her big heart and her passion to help those in need in her community.
However, to achieve her dreams, Namfon knows that she needs to finish school first - that education is key and the first stepping stone towards realizing her dream. However, for many other young girls, finishing school may not be as straightforward and many challenges await. Among these are the issues of early marriage and pregnancy among young girls.
According to the latest national data, around 30.5 per cent of young girls in Lao PDR are married before the age of 18. The issue of adolescent pregnancy also continues to be a persistent challenge in Lao PDR. Both can deprive young girls of the opportunity for education and in realising their dreams.
To tackle the issue of child marriage and adolescent pregnancy, UNICEF is partnering with the Lao Youth Union and DFAT Australia to develop the first-ever educational board game targeted towards adolescents to help raise awareness and change norms around these issues. The board game seeks to tackle these critical issues through an innovative approach aimed not just at educating but also using narratives and transforming them into a fun experience. Players are offered the opportunity to explore different scenarios and delve into the complexities of planning one’s future in an engaging format, a topic that might otherwise seem daunting for a adolescents.
The board game was pre-tested with students in Luang Prabang between 18 to 20 January 2024. Among the participants of the pre-testing was Namfon. As she delved into the game's intricacies, Namfon found herself captivated by the lessons it held. The board, adorned with vibrant illustrations and interactive challenges, became a canvas for discussions that transcended the typical classroom setting. Learning through play, Namfon discovered a newfound excitement for exploring her own future. With each move on the board, Namfon felt a sense of agency and control over her life path.
Empowerment, for Namfon, came not only from the game but from the open conversations it facilitated with her peers. The game provided a safe space for youth to discuss sensitive issues, especially from the perspective of a young girl.
"Relationships are not something girls should feel embarrassed to talk about."
The board game became a bridge that connected Namfon with her peers, fostering a community where discussing relationship and aspirations was no longer a taboo. Relationships, she learned, were not inherently bad, but the game taught her the importance of pacing oneself — there was no rush, and dreams should be chased with patience and determination.
