Human Trafficking in [Laos] [other countries]
Street Children in [Laos] [other countries]
Child Prostitution in [Laos] [other countries]
 

Prevalence, Abuse & Exploitation of Street Children

Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos) [ Country-by-Country Reports ]

The Lao People's Democratic Republic [map], located in SE Asia, is bordered by China (N), by Vietnam (E), by Cambodia (S), and by Thailand and Myanmar (W). Its capital and largest city is Vientiane. Laos is characterized by a high degree of geographic, cultural and linguistic diversity. The country's rich traditions survive, including respect for cultural and religious beliefs and practices and utilization of consensus in decision-making.

CAUTION:  The following links and accompanying text have been culled from the web to illuminate the situation in Laos. Some of these links may lead to websites that present allegations that are unsubstantiated or even false.  No attempt has been made to validate their authenticity or to verify their content.

Quick Search for Missing Children - Select Gender, Country (Lao), and Years Missing

UNICEF - The Big Picture

Bur of Democracy, Human Rights & Labor - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2005

CHILDREN - Although the government has made children's education and health care a priority in its economic planning, funding for children's basic health and educational needs was inadequate, and the country had a very high rate of infant and child mortality. Education is free and compulsory through the fifth grade; however, high fees for books and supplies and a general shortage of teachers in rural areas prevented many children from attending school. According to government statistics, 80 percent of primary school‑age children, 50 percent of junior high school‑age children, and approximately 25 percent of high school‑age children were enrolled in school; however, the UN Development Program estimated that almost 40 percent of children did not attend school at all and only 10 percent entered secondary school.

SECTION 6 WORKER RIGHTS – [e] There were a number of illegal immigrants in the country, particularly from Vietnam and China, and they were vulnerable to exploitation by employers. Some illegal immigrant Vietnamese children sold goods on the streets of Vientiane, although the government made some effort to stop this practice.

Information about Street Children – Lao P.D.R. [DOC]

A strong culture of parental respect and support means that children sometimes move to the streets trying to find money or work at the behest of their parents.

Urban Issues

Laos is a country in transition to a market economy and during this transition process many social problems are emerging, which Laos has not previously experienced. These problems can include urban unemployment, juvenile delinquency, teenage drug use, runaway and street children, exploitation and trafficking of children, child labor issues, etc. Because these problems are new to Laos, existing government institutions have no experience and little knowledge in appropriate and effective responses.

Child Labor

UNICEF'S WORK - There are also children who don’t get to go to school and who do very dangerous work. Souk is an 8-year-old boy who lives in the People’s Republic of Laos in Southeast Asia. Every night, Souk sleeps on the dusty ground between rows of parked buses. For over two years, the bus station, behind a busy market, has been home to Souk, his mother and his sisters Chane, who is 4-years-old, and Noi, who is two-and-a-half. During the day, Souk and his sisters go to the city’s main square to beg for money and food. Why is begging a dangerous job? Because there are no adults around to look after the children, and the children often work near busy streets. They are also at risk for sexual exploitation, abuse, and kidnapping.

All material used herein reproduced under the fair use exception of 17 USC § 107 for noncommercial, nonprofit, and educational use

Human Trafficking in [Laos] [other countries]
Street Children in [Laos] [other countries]
Child Prostitution in [Laos] [other countries]