The Vientiane Capital Women’s Union and Youth Clinic held a concert at Chao Anouvong Park to celebrate the 27th anniversary of World Population Day (Jul 11, 1989-2016).

The celebration focused on the urgency and importance of population issues, particularly in the context of comprehensive development of the young population.

This year, the World Population Day celebration has the theme "Investing in adolescent girls".

Adolescent girls aged 10-19 around the world face more and greater challenges than their male counterparts.

“The adolescence years are, for some girls, a time of exploration, learning and increasing autonomy, like for many of you. But for many others, it is a time of increasing vulnerability and exclusion from rights and opportunities, or just plain discrimination,” said Ms Frederika Meijer, UNFPA Representative to Lao PDR.

“When an adolescent girl has the power, the means and the information to make her own decisions in life, she is more likely to overcome obstacles that stand between her and a healthy, productive future. This will benefit her, her family and her community,” said Ms Meijer.

In the Lao PDR and some other parts of the world, a girl who reaches puberty is deemed by her family and community to be ready for marriage, pregnancy and childbirth.  She may be married off and forced to leave school. She may also suffer a debilitating condition from delivering a child before her body is ready for it.   

A photo contest was also held for adolescents aged between 10 – 19 years. The contest will last through Sep 5, 2016.

The initiative is to hear opinions about the issues of investing in adolescent girls for sustainable development. 

More information, details and criteria for the application can be found and downloaded at http://countryoffice.unfpa.org/lao/ and on the UNFPA Laos facebook page.

UNFPA, with all their partners, will organize many more activities focusing on Investing in Adolescent Girls over the next year.

Source:
courtesy of KPL NEWS AGENCY

by Manythone

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