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Monday, October 13, 2025
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Vientiane’s ‘Girls Takeover’ Wraps Up, Giving Young Women a Real-World Leadership Experience

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Plan International Laos – A youth leadership initiative involving ten adolescent girls and young women has concluded in Vientiane, giving participants the opportunity to step into senior leadership roles and gain real-world experience beyond the classroom.

The annual ‘Girls Takeover’, held in recognition of the International Day of the Girl, is part of Plan International’s global campaign to promote gender equality.

“By supporting these girls and young women to step into leadership roles, we are not just preparing the future, we are reimagining the present. The enthusiasm and insight each participant brought to these roles, and their thoughtful questions, were truly inspiring,” said Carol Mortensen, Country Director of Plan International Laos.

The initiative aims to challenge gender stereotypes and increase the visibility of girls in leadership and decision-making spaces where they are often underrepresented.

This year’s takeover focused on the theme ‘End Child Marriage’, and followed several months of mentorship and preparation. The structured lead-up enabled participants to take part in a half-day of high-level, immersive leadership experience.

Participants engaged in policy discussions, attended senior-level meetings, and shared their own proposals to address complex social issues, skills not commonly taught in traditional educational settings.

“If I were a leader, I would put an end to early marriage by strengthening the enforcement of the law,” said participant Sangsoulee Phaiboun. “This experience showed me that our voices can lead to real change.”

Throughout the program, the girls developed key skills in public speaking, advocacy, negotiation, and strategic thinking. Beyond leadership training, the initiative offered a platform for them to engage directly with senior decision-makers, making space for their perspectives to be heard.

The experience helped build both confidence and capability, preparing them to take on leadership roles in the future.

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