Plan International contributes to reporting on the progress of CRC

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan International strives for a just world, working together with children, young people, our supporters, and partners.
In Laos, Plan International partners with ministries, government agencies, and mess organisations to contribute to achieving the Child’s Rights Convention (CRC) commitments of the government. The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the main piece of international law that guarantees the rights of every girl and boy under the age of 18.

Plan International is working together with children, young people. --Photo Plan International Laos

 This year, Plan International contributes to reporting on the progress of CRC by supporting the children consolation workshops on children’s rights that are held by the National Commission for the Advancement of Women, Mothers, and Children (NCAWC) in Oudomxay and Saravan provinces.
 In Oudomxay province, the consultation with children included children from different ethnic groups and equal in numbers, 50 percent girls and 50 percent boys, and highlighted challenges that matter to their rights and wellbeing. Various topics were discussed, challenges were identified and solutions were also proposed by those children. The topics are around unwanted pregnancy/early pregnancy, fostering a child, being free to be online, and road safety.
 During the discussion, improper social norms or culture are recommended to adapt and better refer to the law, for example, bride stealing is one of the improper and harmful social norms, and participated girls recommend ending it and seriously enforcing the law. They also recommended renegotiating with parents about early forced marriage.
 Ms Carol Mortensen, The Country Director of Plan International Laos said that “Plan International Laos works directly with children and adolescents to empower and enable them to claim their rights and develop their full potential. We establish Student Clubs and partner with children and young people to build their capacity to educate peers about sexual reproductive and health practices.
 Moreover, we are proud to work and partner with the government of Laos at the national level to enhance children’s rights, equality for girls, and nutrition standards. Our contribution to supporting the progress made in Laos towards the CRC demonstrates one aspect of our support for the government.”
 In Saravan province, only Lao children joined the consultation workshop, 48 percent of girls and 52 percent of boys shared their ideas, and thoughts around children’s rights and contributed their solutions on six topics and those four distinguished ones are child physical punishment, residence and hygiene, quality education, and participation.
 Two of the interesting and critical outputs of the consultation that the children shared are inequal house chores at home which girls do more than their brothers. Children’s participation at family, school, and community levels is less. Adults in particular parents, teachers, and village authorities are proposed to involve before making decisions about issues that matter to their lives. Parents must encourage boys to share house chores with girls.
 Plan International Laos, ministerial partners, and civil organisation partners have worked to enhance equality for girls, ending gender-based violence at school, and gender equality at community levels.
 The Convention has been ratified by 196 countries, nearly every single country in the world. Laos has become a member of the Convention since1991. Countries that have ratified the Convention can be held accountable for fulfilling all the rights in the Convention, which span from the right to education to the right to participate and protection from violence, among others.
Plan International is an independent child rights organisation committed to enabling vulnerable and marginalised children to be free of poverty. By actively connecting committed people with powerful ideas, we work together to make positive, deep-rooted, and lasting changes in children’s and young people’s lives. For over 75 years, we have supported girls and boys and their communities around the world to gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to claim their rights, free themselves from poverty and live positive fulfilling lives.
Plan International began operating in Laos in 2007 to advance children’s rights and equality for girls. We work with vulnerable children, families, and communities so they can build the best possible futures for themselves. We work with communities where there is low school enrolment and completion, poor hygiene, little-to-no access to sanitation, limited safe water, and high levels of malnutrition.
The provinces that we directly work in are Bokeo, Oudomxay, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Saravan provinces, and Vientiane. We also deliver programming with 20 Civil Society Organisations in 10 provinces across Laos.
 Our country’s goal is to “Children and adolescents, especially girls and young women, are equally valued by society; are healthy, knowledgeable and decide on matters that affect them.”
 --Source: Plan International Laos

By Patithin Phetmeuangphuan
(Latest Update July 25, 2022)