Laos pledges to continue efforts to empower girls

(KPL/VNA) On the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Laos's Ministry of Education and Sports and development partners have reaffirmed their commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of adolescent girls. Speaking at an event to mark the day, Lao Deputy Minister of Education and Sports Kingmano Phommahaxay emphasised the importance of empowering young women, noting that Laos faces one of the highest adolescent pregnancy rates in the region. Specifically, the adolescent birth rate has increased from 83 per 1,000 in 2017 to 89 per 1,000 in 2023, while the percentage of girls aged 15-19 who are married increased by 3% to 26.5% during the same period. At the event, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) representative in Laos Bakhtiyor Kadyrov stressed the importance of investing in adolescent girls. He said that empowering adolescent girls not only benefits them but also strengthens the future of the country, adding that it is necessary to continue to equip girls with lif e skills and ensure their access to health care, education, and employment opportunities. Source: Lao News Agency