October 15, 2021, Vientiane Capital- Researchers, experts and practitioners from the government, academic and development sectors in Laos and other countries presented recent research evidence on adolescent health and development during the annual Adolescent Research Day (ARD) 2021 under the theme Protection of Adolescent Health and Development in the Context of COVID-19. The event was organized by the Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute (TPHI) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with support from the Government of Luxembourg.

Vilasai Thammavong, Child Rights & Governance Program Manager of ChildFund in Laos said “Social and Emotional Learning skills as well as the mental health awareness and psycho-social support have been few of the key knowledge and skills that ChildFund in Laos program delivered to Lao children and youth from various circumstances and all gender orientations in both urban and rural areas. These key topics are more significantly needed during this COVID-19 pandemic as per youths and caregivers expressed during the ChildFund in Laos recent research in mid of 2021. All together we could do more for Lao children and adolescents to have more resilience to overcome this difficult time”.

The 6th ARD focused on the impact of COVID-19 on adolescent health and development and protection strategies in four main areas: 1). Adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights including adolescent pregnancy and family planning; 2). Mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of adolescents; 3). Gender equality among adolescents and protection from harmful practices such as early marriage and gender-based violence; 4). Education, vocational skills, aspirations and options.

UNFPA Laos ChildFund Laos