Promoting Child Rights and Preventing Violence: Children's Day Events in Luang Prabang

 

Throwback to one of our amazing Children's Day celebrations in Luang Prabang Province! This year, on behalf of Save the Children International in Laos, the Child Protection team supported the Luang Prabang Lao Women’s Union in celebrating Children’s Day in five districts: Luang Prabang City, Numbark, Viengkham, Ngoi, and Phonthong. The multiple events, held from May 9th to 16th, 2024, were attended by 1,046 students, including 579 girls.

 

 

Our key partner, the Lao Women’s Union, made this year special by selecting schools that both Save the Children International (SCI) in Laos and Lao Women's Union (LWU) had never joined celebrated Children's Day with before. The children and teachers enjoyed various fun activities and learned about the joint efforts between SCI and LWU in promoting child rights, preventing violence, addressing the impacts of early marriage, and supporting out-of-school girls and young mothers.

 

Most importantly, this was a great opportunity to introduce teachers and students to the amendments to the law on the protection of children's rights and interests, as well as the ban on corporal punishment in Lao PDR. On April 30, 2024, the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) achieved a major milestone by becoming the 66th country worldwide, and the first in ASEAN, to prohibit corporal punishment of children in all environments, including the home. This landmark decision is a vital step towards cultivating a culture of respect for children and encouraging positive discipline across society.

 

Stay tuned for more updates on our ongoing initiatives to support and protect children’s rights across Laos!