PRIME Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has called for all sectors in Laos to join forces with the international community in striving to end violence against women and girls.
The premier advocated the move in a message to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which falls on Nov 25.
This year, the international community is marking the day under the theme “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!”.
It comes as the world is battling the Covid-19 pandemic, which exacerbates violence against women.
Since the Covid-19 outbreak, all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, has intensified, according to the United Nations, citing data and reports from those on the front lines.
“This is the Shadow Pandemic growing amidst the Covid-19 crisis and we need a global collective effort to stop it, ” the UN said on its website.
In his message, PM Thongloun said marking the day served to make people of all generations acknowledge with full understanding that violence against women and girls violates the basic rights of women.Observation of the day encourages “All people to promote and observe gender equality, enabling everyone in society to have access to education and live with dignity, contributing to socio-economic development and making Lao society safe without violence against women and girls, ” the message read.Although encountering difficulties including the Covid-19 outbreak, Laos has made accomplishments in addressing violence against women and girls over the past year.
These include the fact that Laos has complied with international conventions and promulgated the law on gender equality.
But Laos continues to face challenges in its effort to end violence against women and girls, especially outdated customs and beliefs, while family economic hardship hampers the adoption of the progressive will of society, the prime minister said.
Some people view violence against women and girls as normal, as well as early marriage and early school dropout among girls in rural communities. — Vientiane Times/ANN
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