Japan Supports Gender Education in Bokeo Province

 

Vientiane, 29 November 2018 – The Government of Japan provided grant assistance worth 505,210 US dollars for constructing secondary school facilities and supporting gender education in Bokeo Province. The signing ceremony for a grant contract for this project was held at the Japanese Embassy on 29 November 2018 between H.E. Mr. Takeshi HIKIHARA, Ambassador of Japan to the Lao PDR, and Ms. Chiya NAGASHIMA, Project Manager of Plan International, a non-profit organization, while being witnessed by representatives of the relevant ministries.
The project, entitled “Better secondary education for girls through promotion of gender equity,” is in its third year and aims to create gender-sensitive school environments and develop the capacity of secondary school teachers, students, and communities to promote gender equality.  The project will target all 11 secondary schools in Phaoudom District, one of the remotest and poorest districts in Bokeo Province, where the majority of the population are ethnic minorities. Due to traditional gender norms, girls are expected to engage in domestic work and get married early, which limits their access to secondary education.

To address these issues, the project conducted various activities in the past two years in eleven target schools, such as construction of student dormitories, training of trainers for gender training, and gender training for teachers, PTA members, and Student Club Leaders, as well as facility management and maintenance training. In the final year, the project will conduct refresher training for staff of government, schools, and community on the topics of gender equality. The project also aims to strengthen coordination in its implementation with government partners. Furthermore, dormitories with kitchens, latrines, and water supply systems will be constructed in one school, and facility management and maintenance training will be conducted in all 11 target schools.

Plan International seeks a world where all children realize their full potential, and strives for a world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. It works in 70 countries around the world together with children, schools, and government partners. Plan International has been actively engaged with development support in the education and health sectors in the Lao PDR since 2008.