Topic: Reproductive Health
Country: Laos
Delegate Name: Henna Haque
School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Laos position papers GLIMUN 2017 committees
Laos is very progressive on the topic of women’s reproductive rights. Laos is in what's called a transition period and is in a period of rapid growth. Contraceptives like birth control is a legal over-the-counter drug and the “morning after pill” can be sold without prescriptions. Other feminine products are available purchase in everyday markets. However, the problem remains in its more rural community with only a very small portion of its road is paved trouble accessing those areas to enforce law becomes difficult. The problem starting with education, many village girls typically can expect up to primary school education. Soon after they can expect to be married and expecting children. The normal range of girls to give birth is from ages 15-19. They also have an increased infant mortality rate. Out of 1000 babies, 76 are expected die within their first month of life. Although not common, women have an increased risk for STI’s and HIV. Some women in these communities seek illegal abortions. An illegal abortion is an abortion performed in a clinic that is uncertified or is below standard to treat anyone. A girl may receive a legal abortion only if her life is danger until the new legislation that will lift restrictions in 2018 is passed lifting those restrictions. That does not solve the issue just yet there is other laws in place that conflict with laws in place. Laos believes the effective solution is to allow contraception and abortion. Every country in favor of human rights should fix their systems to accommodate for the modern issue. In addition education is the most important, when women feel their only goal is to get married and have children they will go toward contraception. Centers are starting to pop-up funded by Non Governmental Organizations including UNICEF, and the Asia Foundations. These centers provide the basic necessities for women from a variety of abusive backgrounds helping them look to ward a better future. Laos has restricted NGO’s in the past but it believes they can still help in it's future development.
