Young people attend a debate competition in Bokeo province.

Adolescents voice ideas on ‘my body, my rights’ to mark International Day of the Girl Child

Ethnic youth and members of the young LGBTIQ+ community took part in a debate competition in Huayxai district, Bokeo province, on the theme ‘my body, my rights’ to mark International Day of the Girl Child.
Those taking part debated sexual reproductive health, rights, equality for girls, and girls’ leadership.
Plan International Laos, the Bokeo provincial Education and Sports Department, and the province’s Women’s Union earlier partnered to provide information on safeguarding, gender equality, and inclusion.
They also provided training in public speaking and debate competition for candidates in the run up to the competition, which took place on October 2-3.
The Acting Deputy Country Director of Programmes with Plan International Laos, Mr Vilasak Viraphanh, said “It is important to provide a safe space for young people to raise their voices, express their ideas, showcase their competency in public speaking and defend their beliefs by using evidence, speaking skills, teamwork and time management appropriately.”
“Plan International has worked with children and young people in Laos to advance their rights to education, health, and equality for girls to raise their voices since 2007.”
“We intend to benefit over one million people, including 700,000 adolescent girls, over the next five years. Our Country Strategy prioritises adolescent girls, especially those from ethnic communities.”
Before the debate competition, the candidates, three young masters of ceremony, and the judges learnt about public speaking and debating over a three-day period.
During the training, the facilitators demonstrated ways to debate effectively and how to research resources. Young people observed, learned and rehearsed debates in front of their peers and chaperones.
The head of the team, Sakkuna Lachamp, spoke about the skills she learned during the training session.
“Public speaking is one of the necessary skills for debating and is something we must practise regularly to become natural and fluent speakers.”
Eight debate teams from seven secondary schools in Huayxai district participated in the debate competition.
The final round saw Sakkuna Lachamp and Samakhi Khuephalang win a 5 million kip scholarship for their debate on the topic ‘Choosing to become a different gender from what you were born is incorrect’.
Scholarships worth 11 million kip in total were awarded. The first runner-up won 3 million kip worth of scholarship money, while scholarships worth 2 million kip were awarded to the second runner-up, and a 1 million kip scholarship was awarded as a consolation prize.
“It was exciting and challenging to speak in public, and against our opponents. The topic was important and highlights the current situation in our country. Every human being has the right to be and to do whatever they wish,” said a member of one of the winning teams, Sakkuna Lachamp.
Since 2016, Plan International Laos, with the government and development partners, has promoted equality for girls at the IDG event that is held annually at the national level to celebrate the Nang Noi Framework.
A different theme is discussed each year, such as children’s rights, gender equality for girls, education, and sexual reproductive health.
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.
The organisation has been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years and is now active in more than 75 countries.
Since 2007, Plan International Laos has been implementing health and education activities in schools in Bokeo, Oudomxay and Saravan provinces to empower children, particularly girls and young women, give them a voice, build their capacity, and enhance their leadership in social planning and decision making with regard to their priorities.
Plan International also promotes rights and gender equality among village leaders, parents and teachers, as girls’ allies to support their participation and leadership.
--Source Plan International Laos

(Latest Update October 5, 2022)