Ending violence against women and girls is possible… I am hopeful!

This post is written by Mariam Khan, UNFPA Representative, Lao PDR.

• The problem: One in three women have experienced violence in their lifetime and the figures have risen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Why it matters: Violence against women is tolerated globally - yet change can and should happen.

• The solution: Initiatives such as the 16 Days campaign shine a spotlight on violence against women and help to inspire and initiate change.

For most issues, the world marks a day. For Violence Against Women (VAW), the world marks 16 days!

Globally, one in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, primarily by their intimate partners. In Lao PDR, a 2014 study on violence against women revealed the same data - one in three women had experienced physical or sexual violence, or emotional abuse from their partners. COVID-19 has exacerbated VAW; data from the Lao Women’s Union indicates an increase in rape cases, and there has been a three- to fivefold increase in the number of calls to hotlines during the strict lockdowns.

One in three women: look around you... of the three women and girls you see, do you ask yourself, which one? Do you ask yourself, why?

VAW is socially and culturally tolerated all over the world due to traditional gender norms, unequal power relations and gender inequality - but culture is dynamic and can change.

Reasons to be hopeful

Three years ago, when I came to Lao PDR, the Lao Women’s Union and the National Commission for Action on Women and Children were supported by a handful of development partners for their work on EVAW (elimination of violence against women). I have seen that handful grow to a coalition of over 48 partners taking action, establishing everything from advocacy to interventions that protect women and girls. For the 2021 16 Days campaign, the newcomers joining are well beyond any expectations I had! Led by government and development partners, sports organisations, banks, private sector companies, and individuals - men, women, young, old, LGBTQ+ - we have welcomed lots of new faces with a wealth of experiences and backgrounds this year.

Opening of a Lao Women’s Union (LWU) shelter in Savannakhet. The vice governor of Savannakhet, LWU vice president, the UK ambassador and UNFPA representative.

I salute the female leaders in all sectors who take space in the public domain to acknowledge and act on measures necessary to protect women and girls.

I welcome the male leaders who step out of their comfort zone to speak on this issue by sharing a personal or professional action to protect women and girls.

I admire the young men and women and those of varied gender identity who develop values to establish a more equitable balance in their relationships.

I acknowledge the comprehensive policy framework developed by the Lao government for the promotion of gender equality and the elimination of violence against women, which creates a pathway for individuals and institutions to invest in solutions for women and girls.

I celebrate that Lao PDR scores 96/100 for SDG 5.6.2 in the Sustainable Development Goals on bodily autonomy, amongst the highest scores globally! This indicator emphasises laws and regulations that guarantee full and equal access for women and men aged 15 years and older to sexual and reproductive health care, information, and education.

Did I say I was hopeful? You see now I have good cause to be!

"Change happens when individuals are informed about rights and choices and they take action."

Join the 16 Days campaign

‘End violence against women now!’ was the theme for this year’s 16 Days of activism against gender-based violence. 16 Days is a global campaign to eliminate all forms of violence against women. Beginning in 1991, the 16 Days campaign for 2021 kicked off on 25 November, the international day for the elimination of violence against women, and ended on 10 December, human rights day, to emphasise that violence against women is a violation of human rights.

I invite you to join efforts to implement the national action plan for EVAW and the essential service package for EVAW so that we can collectively protect and advance the rights of women and girls and Lao PDR. Join the annual 16 Days campaign with us on the UNFPA Laos Facebook Page and UNFPA Laos on Twitter and through the social media sites of any of the 48 campaign partners.

Change happens when individuals are informed about rights and choices and they take action. Every positive action can make a difference. So, end violence against women now!

UNFPA is committed to ending all forms of violence against women and girls and other harmful practices by 2030. UNFPA Laos works with the government and partners to establish a multi-sectoral coordination mechanism and referral pathway for GBV, including implementing the essential services package for women and girls subject to violence (ESP). UNFPA leads the multi-partner 16 Days campaign annually to raise awareness and action to stop VAW.

Mariam Khan is the UNFPA Representative to Lao PDR. UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. UNFPA works in over 150 countries to achieve zero maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning, and zero gender-based violence. For more information see https://lao.unfpa.org/en.

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