Women in Laos
Encyclopedia
Laotian women have long been active participants in their nation
's society, involved in politics, driving social transformation and development, becoming active in the world of business and serving as nurses and food producers for the military
. Due to modernization and rural uprooting
, Lao women have begun to embrace lifestyles that are foreign to traditional Laotian ideals.
, Lao women are legally equal to Lao men. They have the right to vote and to inherit property. However, in practice, the roles and status of women in Lao society often depend on ethnic affiliation. In some cases, as in the status of Lao Loum
women, the youngest daughter is often assigned the task of caring for elderly parents in return for inheritance benefits like land and business. However, after receiving her inheritance, the daughter does not obtain direct control over the land or business, as her husband possesses executive power over such matters. Other women from different ethnic groups, however, do not inherit anything. In 1993, the government of Lao established a program of land surveying and titling which was nominally more beneficial to female landholders. National legislation declaring Lao men and women as "equally entitled to hold property" was also promulgated, including the Family Law proclaiming that "any property purchased during marriage is regarded as joint property", and that the "land owned by a woman prior to her marriage remains her individual property, as does any land she inherits from her parents”.
after they have been reborn as men
.
, many women, such as the silk weavers of the Bai Hai population, became increasingly engaged in unskilled manual labour. However, despite being less literate and educated than men on average (63% of Lao females can read and write, compared to 83% of males), Lao women increasingly became the primary wage earners of their the family units, especially in rural areas. In recent decades, Lao women have furthermore benefited from microfinancing programs offered by organizations such as the Social Economic Developers Association (SEDA). In such programs, women receive training in establishing businesses, business management, procurement of materials, mass production, price negotiation for products, financial management, marketing strategies, writing skills, business planning, and decision-making. This is intended to assist women in becoming empowered and obtaining "financial stability".
Another organization involved in women's education is the Lao Disabled Women's Development Centre, an institution that trains handicapped
Lao women. The Lao Disabled Women's Development Centre was established by Chanhpheng Sivila, and functioned primarily as a series of workshops before expanding in 2002. Another similar group focusing on the rights, empowerment, and health of Lao women is the Committee for Women's Advancement of the province of Sayaboury.
. In March 2011, the National Assembly provided a seminar for forty-seven female candidates in advance of the 7th Lao general elections in April 2011, in order to instil the “significant duties of the national legislature body” in the women.
and prostitution
are serious issues for Laotian women.
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
's society, involved in politics, driving social transformation and development, becoming active in the world of business and serving as nurses and food producers for the military
Military of Laos
The Lao People's Army is the name of the armed forces of Laos, who are charged with protecting the country. Until 1975, the Royal Laos Army were the armed forces of the Laos, along with the Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force and the Lao People's Navy....
. Due to modernization and rural uprooting
Rural society in Laos
In Laos, society is characterized by semiindependent rural villages engaged in subsistence agricultural production. Ethnic, geographic, and ecological differences create variations in the pattern of village life from one part of the country to another, but the common threads of village selfreliance...
, Lao women have begun to embrace lifestyles that are foreign to traditional Laotian ideals.
Legal status
Under the Constitution of LaosConstitution of Laos
-Previous constitutions:Laos' first, French-written and monarchical constitution was promulgated on May 11, 1947 and declared it to be an independent state within the French Union. The revised constitution of May 11, 1957 omitted reference to the French Union, though close educational, health and...
, Lao women are legally equal to Lao men. They have the right to vote and to inherit property. However, in practice, the roles and status of women in Lao society often depend on ethnic affiliation. In some cases, as in the status of Lao Loum
Lao Loum
The Lao Loum is an official Laos PDR designation for lowland dwelling Tai peoples, including the majority Lao people. The Lao Loum, literally meaning "lowland Lao," are the inhabitants of the river valleys and lowlands along the Mekong River and make up over 68% of the population of Laos, of...
women, the youngest daughter is often assigned the task of caring for elderly parents in return for inheritance benefits like land and business. However, after receiving her inheritance, the daughter does not obtain direct control over the land or business, as her husband possesses executive power over such matters. Other women from different ethnic groups, however, do not inherit anything. In 1993, the government of Lao established a program of land surveying and titling which was nominally more beneficial to female landholders. National legislation declaring Lao men and women as "equally entitled to hold property" was also promulgated, including the Family Law proclaiming that "any property purchased during marriage is regarded as joint property", and that the "land owned by a woman prior to her marriage remains her individual property, as does any land she inherits from her parents”.
Workforce
Many rural Lao women undertake a variety of semi-formal roles in their communities, including handicrafts, commerce, public health, and education, in addition to their traditional roles as homemakers and the caretakers of children. In the cities and at the government level, Lao women are still underrepresented, particularly in high-level positions. In terms of wages, women typically receive lower salaries than men.Religion
In connection with Lao Buddhism and traditional beliefs, many Lao women are taught that they can only attain nirvanaNirvana
Nirvāṇa ; ) is a central concept in Indian religions. In sramanic thought, it is the state of being free from suffering. In Hindu philosophy, it is the union with the Supreme being through moksha...
after they have been reborn as men
Reincarnation
Reincarnation best describes the concept where the soul or spirit, after the death of the body, is believed to return to live in a new human body, or, in some traditions, either as a human being, animal or plant...
.
Education and training
Fewer Laotian girls enroll in schools than boys. After World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, many women, such as the silk weavers of the Bai Hai population, became increasingly engaged in unskilled manual labour. However, despite being less literate and educated than men on average (63% of Lao females can read and write, compared to 83% of males), Lao women increasingly became the primary wage earners of their the family units, especially in rural areas. In recent decades, Lao women have furthermore benefited from microfinancing programs offered by organizations such as the Social Economic Developers Association (SEDA). In such programs, women receive training in establishing businesses, business management, procurement of materials, mass production, price negotiation for products, financial management, marketing strategies, writing skills, business planning, and decision-making. This is intended to assist women in becoming empowered and obtaining "financial stability".
Another organization involved in women's education is the Lao Disabled Women's Development Centre, an institution that trains handicapped
Disability
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
Lao women. The Lao Disabled Women's Development Centre was established by Chanhpheng Sivila, and functioned primarily as a series of workshops before expanding in 2002. Another similar group focusing on the rights, empowerment, and health of Lao women is the Committee for Women's Advancement of the province of Sayaboury.
Politics
Though the women of Lao obtained their right to vote and to be elected in 1958, they remain underrepresented in government at both local and national levels. However, in recent decades women have made notable inroads into politics. In 1997, Onechanh Thammavong became one of the vice-presidents of the National Assembly of LaosNational Assembly of Laos
The unicameral National Assembly of Laos is the parliament of Laos. It was established in its current form by the Lao Constitution of 1991 , replacing the Supreme People's Assembly. After the December 1997 elections, the number of seats were increased to 99, a new structure was announced and...
. In March 2011, the National Assembly provided a seminar for forty-seven female candidates in advance of the 7th Lao general elections in April 2011, in order to instil the “significant duties of the national legislature body” in the women.
Marriage
In Lao society, women who divorce their husbands are traditionally stigmatised, often finding it difficult to find another spouse.Prostitution and trafficking
As with many of the poorer states of South-East Asia, human traffickingHuman trafficking in Laos
Laos is primarily a source country for women and girls trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation and labor exploitation as domestics or factory workers in Thailand. Some Lao men, women, and children migrate to neighboring countries in search of better economic opportunities but are subjected to...
and prostitution
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
are serious issues for Laotian women.
See also
- Culture of LaosCulture of LaosLaos has its own distinct culture. Through Theravada Buddhism it has influences from India and has also influences from China. These influences are reflected throughout Laos in its language as well as in art, literature and the performing arts....
- Hmong women and childbirth practicesHmong Women and Childbirth PracticesThe Hmong People are originally an Asian society from Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and southeast China. Currently about twelve million Hmong people live scattered across the world. Even though the Hmong culture is patrilineal, the women of these societies have traditionally carried a large amount of...
- Peopling of LaosPeopling of LaosThe Peopling of Laos refers to the process by which the ethnic groups that comprise the population of present-day Laos came to inhabit the region...
- Laos women's national football teamLaos women's national football teamThe Laos women's national football team is the female representative football team for Laos.-World Cup record:-AFC Women's Asian Cup record:-References:...
Further readings
- Women and Development in Laos
- National Union of Lao Women. Status of Women: Laos, Socaial and Human Sciences in Asia and the Pacific, UNESCO Principal Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok,1989
- Strengthening the Lao Women's Union and Preparing for a National Women's Machinery, UNIFEM East and Southease Asia Region
- Tinker, Irene and Gale Summerfield. Introduction:Women’s Changing Rights to House and Land in Vietnam, Laos, and China, Lynne Rienner Publishers, 1999, 305 pages, ISBN 9781555878177
- A UN body expresses concern regarding women rights in Laos, 15 February 2005