Article
A Decade of Progress in Corporal Punishment
Lao PDR has made history by becoming the first Southeast Asian country to completely ban corporal punishment, a major step forward in the protection of children's rights. In December 2023, the country passed an amendment to the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Children, taking a firm stance aga...
Press release
Stakeholders Gather to Strengthen Child Protection Systems and Protect Rights of Lao Children
The annual meeting of the Child Protection and Assistance Committee (CPAC) facilitates collaboration and discussion towards better protecting the rights of children in Lao PDR, Thalath, Vientiane province, 27 April 2023-, The National Child Protection and Assistance Committee (CPAC) this week held its annual meeting, presided over by H.E. Lee Pao Yang, the Vice Minister of Labour and Social Welfare and President of CPAC, and Dr. Pia Rebello Britt...
Article
Supporting vulnerable children by strengthening the Child Protection Network
Ms. Vika is the Deputy Village Chief in Saphaothong village, Samakkhixay district of Attapeu province. In this capacity, Ms. Vika has the important responsibilty of supporting the administration of her village and making decisions that concern all of its inhabitants. Her dedication to her village also extends to c...
Article
Ministry of Justice and UNICEF Begin Work on Amending the Law on Protection of the Rights
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) of Lao PDR, with support from UNICEF, has conducted a week-long consultation to review the implementation of the Law on Protection of the Rights and Interests of Children and to discuss its amendment. The meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Kongchi Yangchue, Vice Minister of Justice, H...
Article
Providing Psychosocial support for a mother in distress
Jovii* (name changed) is from Hmong ethnic group. She is a mother of 4 children, including a 7-year-old daughter living with multiple disabilities and an 8-month-old son. Her husband, who was violent, passed away in Jan 2022. According to her ethnic tradition and custom, she could not go back to her parents becaus...
Article
Counselling Helpline Lends an Ear to Teens in Need
Silor* (alias), 16, is a Grade 11 female student and member of the Hmong ethnic group. She lives in a rural area of Xaysomboun province in Lao PDR. Silor was particularly passionate about becoming a doctor and wanted to pursue an undergraduate degree. She believed that education would land her a good job and at th...
Report
UNICEF Lao PDR Child Protection Compendium of Factsheets
The UNICEF Lao PDR Child Protection Compendium of Factsheets (March 2022) gives a flavour of some of the most relevant child protection issues in Lao PDR. 14 diverse topics are covered, including adoption, alternative care, birth registration, child labour, child marriage, child online protection, child protection...
Article
Helping Protect Young Pregnant Girls During COVID-19 Through the Lao Women’s Union Helpline
Jinda* is a 17-year-old girl from Luang Prabang province. She has been living with her grandparents since her mother passed away. Jinda eventually moved to Vientiane Capital to work as a housemaid to make ends meet and there she met Vilaithed*, a 19-year-old laborer. The two began dating shortly after. Jinda returned to Luang Prabang three…, *name and image in the story are changed to protect the child’s identity ,
Article
The Story of Souk
*name in the story is changed to protect the child’s identity, When Peuan Mit’s (Friends International Lao PDR) social worker first met Souk, a 21-year-old girl from Ban Ladkhuaiy village, Xaythany district, Vientiane Capital, she was distressed due to her family‘s situation and her recent job loss. Her father is ...
Article
Care and Protection from Violence in the Time of Covid-19
Feuang, *, , 10, is the eldest child in her family and has five siblings. Her father was a drug-user, and fought with her mother all the time. Every time they had a quarrel, Feuang would feel scared. Feuang’s family did not have a house or land, they lived in a neighbour’s hut in the middle of a rice field. On wee...
Report
Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Training Module
The Psychological First Aid and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Training Manual for Sub-national Social Service Workforce in Lao PDR presents necessary knowledge and skills required for the social service workforce to identify, prevent and respond to psychosocial and mental health needs of people during eme...
Report
Assessment of the Child Protection system in Lao PDR
The Assessment of the Child Protection System in Lao PDR was conducted by Child Frontiers for the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the members of the Committee of the Protection and Assistance of Children (CPAC) with support from UNICEF. This assessment report presents detailed findings ...