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A youth-led workshop held today brought together young people from across Laos to address the pressing issues of child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM) and adolescent pregnancy. The event was prompted by findings from a recent study, which revealed that Laos has one of the highest rates of child marriage and adolescent pregnancy in Southeast Asia.
According to the latest Lao Social Indicator Survey (LSIS III), conducted in partnership with the Government of Lao PDR, UNFPA, and UNICEF in 2024, one in three young women aged 20–24 in Laos were married before the age of 18. Additionally, 16.7% of women in the same age group gave birth before turning 18.
Organised by Plan International Laos, the workshop was led by youth volunteers and included panel discussions and group activities. Participants included winners of a recent Photo Essay Contest, representatives from civil society organisations, and Plan International staff who are actively working to end child marriage across the country.
Based on the findings of the recent study, participants were divided into groups to explore the impacts of CEFM and to brainstorm practical solutions.
“Child marriage is not a cultural tradition—it is a violation of human rights,” said Thipphakone, first runner-up of the Photo Essay Contest.
Plan International Laos is committed to empowering girls and works closely with youth, communities, and local authorities to promote comprehensive sexuality education in schools and communities, particularly in the northern provinces.
“We believe that by working with young people and other stakeholders, we can end child marriage and adolescent pregnancy—issues that have a profound and harmful impact on young lives and the nation’s economy,” said Carol Mortensen, Country Director of Plan International Laos. “These challenges are deeply interconnected, contributing to a cycle of poverty and underdevelopment that affects families, communities, and the country’s overall human capital and growth.”
“This workshop is part of a broader global movement that Plan International and our partners are investing in—one that empowers young people to become champions for change. Their voices matter, and we must ensure they are heard,” Ms Mortensen added.
Plan International Laos, together with government bodies, UN agencies, and civil society organisations, continues to work closely with girls and young women to protect and promote their rights. The organisation remains committed to supporting girls’ rights—because girls’ rights are human rights—throughout 2025. Upcoming initiatives include activities marking the International Day of the Girl Child and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
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