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Vientiane’s Patuxay Turns Orange to Say “NO” to Violence Against Women and Girls

UNFPA Laos

By UNFPA Laos


To commemorate the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, the Lao Government, in collaboration with the United Nations and partners, held an event on 25 November to light up the Patuxay Monument in orange, marking the launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

The two-week-long campaign, involving 40 partners, supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the European Union (EU) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), aimed to raise awareness and foster actions to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls.

In Laos, about 1 in 3 women have experienced sexual, physical or emotional violence, and yet of these women, only 1 in 10 sought help from authorities such as the police, medical centers or Lao Women Union and relevant sectors. 

Vientiane Turns Orange

Lao President speaks at UNFPA event in Vientiane on 25 November. (Photo: UNFPA Laos)

The Orange Patuxay event, held under the theme ‘Toward 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls,‘ brought together a diverse group of local and international attendees.

Participants wore orange in solidarity, creating a powerful collective statement to advance the advocacy efforts, which will continue until 10 December (Human Rights Day).

The event saw active engagement from a wide range of stakeholders, including government representatives, United Nations agencies, embassies and development partners, civil society organizations, disability advocates, and both public and private sector representatives.

Their unified presence highlighted the commitment to ending all forms of violence against women and girls in Laos, amplifying the ‘Say No’ message through their participation in various activities.

During the ceremony, a video message from the Prime Minister of Laos, Sonexay Siphandone, was broadcast for the audience, reaffirming the commitment of the Lao Government  to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence regardless of sexes and genders. 

“Every year, during the 16 Days of Activism, we unite to reaffirm our ownership, leadership, cooperation, and engagement in ending violence against women and girls. Our government stands firm in its commitment to implementing laws and policies that promote gender equality and protect women’s rights. We are dedicated to strengthening mechanisms to prevent and address violence, transforming harmful attitudes, and ensuring perpetrators are held accountable under the law. By allocating resources and investing in initiatives that support gender equality, we are paving the way for a future where every woman and girl can live free from fear and violence,”  President Sonexay Siphandone said.

Lao President speaks at UNFPA event in Vientiane on 25 November. (Photo: UNFPA Laos)

Over the past decade, Laos has witnessed a remarkable transformation in cultural norms, thanks to the combined efforts of public awareness campaigns, government leadership, and significant investments in the prevention of violence against women.

Kambiz Kabiri, UNFPA Officer-in-Charge, highlighted this progress, noting that tolerance for domestic violence has greatly diminished, thanks to the coordinated efforts of ministries and development partners.

Despite these positive changes, Kabiri stressed that much work remains to be done.

“UNFPA remains resolute in advocating for bold action to raise awareness, drive advocacy, and promote innovative solutions to eradicate violence against women and girls,” he said.

In line with this ongoing commitment, Bakhodir Burkhanov, the UN Resident Coordinator in Laos, reiterated the United Nations’ pledge to continue its strong partnership with Laos and all stakeholders in building a future where women and girls can live without the fear of violence.

“The Pact for the Future,” he stated, “reaffirms the critical importance of eradicating all forms of discrimination and violence, to not only protect their fundamental rights, but also to build resilient, equitable communities where all can thrive.”

The illumination of Patuxay Monument into orange marks the first official government event in a dynamic, action-packed calendar for the 16 Days of Activism, spanning from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November to Human Rights Day on 10 December. The campaign will feature a series of impactful activities, including seminars, media campaigns, and public discussions on critical topics such as the importance of mental health for survivors of gender-based violence, HIV/AIDS, and the rights of people with disabilities.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mme Aly Vongnorbountham, President of the Lao Women’s Union (LWU) and Vice Standing President of the National Commission for the Advancement of Women,  Mothers and Children, said: “Orange radiates positivity and hope, symbolizing a brighter future free from violence against women and girls. Together, we can take a stand—support survivors, empower them with vital information to access justice, and amplify our voices to challenge harmful societal norms. Join the campaign to advocate for stricter laws, stronger enforcement, and greater resources to end violence against women and girls. Let’s unite for a world where every woman and girl can live in safety and dignity.”

UNFPA event in Vientiane on 25 November. (Photo: UNFPA Laos)

Following Patuxay illumination in orange, a diverse and inclusive fashion show themed “The Empowerment Runway” took place at ASEAN Park, spotlighting various forms of violence while advocating for inclusivity and respect for the rights of all women, including those with disabilities, women from rural and ethnic communities, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Gender equality is more than a goal; it is a fundamental right and a shared responsibility, central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Today is both a celebration of progress and a call to action. We must redouble efforts to eliminate GBV, expand reproductive health programs, and enhance education and economic opportunities for women and girls to ensure they can live lives of their choosing,” said Mark Gallagher, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Laos.

The 16 Days of Activism serves as a powerful platform for raising awareness, fostering dialogue, and driving tangible action to eliminate violence against women and girls. It calls for solidarity and collective actions, through united efforts to build a future of safety, equality, and dignity for all women and girls in Laos.

Hong Kong Brands & Influencers Unite to Embrace Being Never Normal


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 November 2024 – Is Hong Kong back to normal? It’s a question that continues to be asked of people who live in Hong Kong, and to those who visit Hong Kong. It assumes that the city has not been itself in recent years.

Hong Kong Never Normal

However, Hong Kong has always been a vibrant and entrepreneurial city with unique quirks and idiosyncrasies that gives the city its soul. So to answer the question, no, Hong Kong is not back to normal because the truth is, Hong Kong has never really been normal.

Tired of the negative headlines, a ground-up private sector initiative launches today, uniting Hong Kong Brands & Influencers behind Hong Kong Never Normal; a new platform that kicks off with a campaign that celebrates the city’s extraordinary spirit with over 100 stories across the initial phase.

PressReleaseTMPZ9Qqo7.jpg

Big and small brands, content creators and influencers with roots in Hong Kong have come together to share stories around people, places, culture, lifestyle and brands that embody Hong Kong’s Never Normal essence. The @HKNeverNormal Instagram page will feature original and collaborated social content to engage and inspire conversations.

Joanne Lao, CEO of TBWA, the creative agency that initiated this campaign, said, “Our ambition is to rekindle the pride HongKongers deserve to have towards their remarkable home city. While this launch phase aims to build awareness, engage and ignite buzz, future phases will involve more collaboration activities with our ‘Hong Kong Never Normal’ community of brands, creators and influencers”.

Supporting partners include home grown brands and start-ups across 12 industry sectors including art, beauty, entertainment, education, food and beverage, fashion, hotels, lifestyle, media, non-profit, retail, sustainability, technology and traditional Chinese medicine. Full list of partners below.

In addition, individuals and influencers from many facets of Hong Kong are generously sharing their Hong Kong Never Normal perspectives in support of the campaign, including film director/actor Stephen Fung, business influencer Allan Zeman, 5-time Olympic swimmer Stephanie Au, singer/songwriter Serrini Leung and comedians Jordan Leung and Vivek Mahbubani.

Be inspired by the energy, entrepreneurism and creativity of Hong Kong and its people. Visit Instagram @HKNeverNormal and the website hknevernormal.com

~ END ~

Final List of Assets included here:
Hong Kong Never Normal Thematic Video – H:30 ENG
Hong Kong Never Normal Thematic Video – V:30 ENG
Hong Kong Never Normal Thematic Video– H:30 TC
Hong Kong Never Normal Thematic Video– V:30 TC

NOTES TO EDITOR – PARTNER QUOTES & INFORMATION

Girish Jhunjhnuwala, Founder and Executive Chairman of Hong Kong based Ovolo Group said, “Nothing is ever ‘normal’ in Hong Kong – and that’s what makes it so special. We should leave normal behind and take pride in the city’s eclecticism. This is a positive, and accurate narrative for Hong Kong that is authentic and confident.”

“Hong Kong is part of Animoca Brands’ DNA and the essence of our identity. As pioneers of digital property rights in Web3, we’ve witnessed firsthand this city’s extraordinary blend of resilience and innovation. That’s why we’re supporting Hong Kong Never Normal, which embodies the spirit of a city that adapts to change,” said Evan Auyang, Group President of Animoca Brands.

According to Marco So, Co-Founder of Factiv, Hong Kong’s innovative beauty startup, “This campaign reflects the spirit of our brand and our belief in coming together to support the city together. In developing our brand, we rejected the norms of gender and age specific skin care products, proudly making science based products in Hong Kong, for HongKongers, especially for Hong Kong’s humid weather!”.

PARTNERS
In alphabetical order

Official Brand Partners Story Partners Influencers/individuals
9GAG A Spark of Madness Allan Zeman @allanzeman
Animoca Brands BeCandle Chaotic Hong Kong Expats @chaoshongkong
Asiaray Media Group Broken Finger Plus Evelyn CHOI Wing Yan @evelynchoii
Easy Group COA Hong Kong Hong Kong Memes @hkmehmeh
Fleishman Hillard Eu Yan Sang Jordan Leung @69ranch
Fork Lore Factiv Serrini LEUNG Ka Yan @gwendolyn.spot
Greater Bay Media Entertainment (GBME) Hotel ICON Stephanie AU Hoi Shun @stephaniehsau
Hong Kong Community Foundation Mil Mill Stephen FUNG Tak Lun @stephenfungible
HYPEBEAST MPS International Consultancy Vian LIN Ka Wing @vian_vn
Index Game N.I.P. Gin – Hong Kong Craft Distilling Co. Vivek Mahbubani @funnyvivek
LKF Group Pirata Group
Media OutReach Newswire Pomme
Ocean Park Hong Kong Rooftop Republic
Ovolo Group Sleepyhead
South China Morning Post The Lion Rock Press
TBWA The Savory Project
The Sandbox Tuck Chong Sum Kee Bamboo Steamer Co.
Young Soy Gallery
Yuet Wo

Hashtag: #HongKongNeverNormal

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Eight Detained in Laos Over Tourist Deaths Linked to Methanol Poisoning at Vang Vieng Hostel

Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng. (Photo: Booking.com)

On 25 November, the Vang Vieng police arrested eight individuals allegedly linked to the deaths of foreign tourists at Nana Backpackers Hostel.

The detained individuals, all employees of Nana Backpacker Hostel, are all Vietnamese nationals between 23 and 44 years old.

The incident, which occurred on 12 November, involved the deaths of six tourists, one American, two Danish citizens, two Australians, and one British national.

Authorities suspect the deaths were caused by poisoning, possibly related to tainted drinks, though investigations are still ongoing.

The Vang Vieng district authorities, working alongside various ministries and organizations, continue to investigate the deaths and collect relevant data to determine the exact cause.

The Lao government has confirmed that the deaths were caused by methanol poisoning.

Reports have also surfaced that 12 other foreign tourists in Vang Vieng were hospitalized after consuming contaminated drinks from the same guesthouse. Preliminary tests indicated methanol contamination in beverages such as beer and spirits.

The embassies of Denmark, the United States, and other countries are working to repatriate the victims’ bodies.

Investigations continue, with a special task force working to determine the full scope of the incident. Unofficial reports suggest there may be additional fatalities, but these claims have not been confirmed.

Thai Court Issues Warrant for Healthcare Mogul Over Fraud Linked to Laos, Vietnam

Thai Court Issues Warrant for Healthcare Mogul Over Fraud Linked to Laos, Vietnam
Boon Vanasin, A founder of Thailand's Thonburi hospital and chairman Thonburi healthcare group (photo credit: Kaohoon international)

Thailand’s Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on 22 November for Boon Vanasin, a Thai national founder of Thonburi Hospital and chairman of Thonburi Healthcare Group (THG), along with eight other compatriots. The group is accused of running a fraudulent scheme involving fake medical projects, including hospitals in Laos and Vietnam.

Savannakhet Sees Tourism Boom, Economic Growth in 2024

Savannakhet Sees Tourism Boom, Economic Growth in 2024
That Ing Hang in Savannakhet Province (photo credit: Laos Tour)

Savannakhet Province has witnessed growth in tourism and economic development in 2024. 

Coda Bridge and StraitsX Collaborate on Blockchain-Powered Charity Initiative to Support Singapore’s Disadvantaged Communities


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 November 2024 – Coda Bridge, a pioneering Hong Kong-based blockchain platform provider known for its charity project that leverages blockchain technology to ensure accurate tracking of charitable donations, is pleased to announce its expansion into Singapore in collaboration with StraitsX. The upcoming collaboration aims to leverage blockchain technology and smart contract programming to issue Purpose Bound Money (PBM) in the form of meal vouchers to eligible migrant workers and other underserved communities to dine at Dignity Kitchen Singapore.

Coda Bridge’s platform has already seen significant success in Hong Kong, having partnered with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Hong Kong, and Dignity Kitchen (Hong Kong), a social enterprise that employs physically challenged and disadvantaged people. The Hong Kong project, which was rolled out in May 2024, saw the distribution of HK$500 electronic meal vouchers to beneficiary families of the local chapter of RMHC, redeemable at Dignity Kitchen Hong Kong. The upcoming pilot in Singapore will see Coda Bridge utilise StraitsX’s platform solutions and its Singapore dollar pegged stablecoin, XSGD to power backend acceptance flows of the PBM digital meal vouchers, guaranteeing that charity donations from Ray of Hope reach the intended beneficiaries and are spent specifically for dining at Dignity Kitchen Singapore. Beneficiaries can then use their mobile phone to scan a merchant-presented QR code at Dignity Kitchen and seamlessly pay using their vouchers. At the end of the project, Dignity Kitchen can redeem the digital vouchers collected from beneficiaries and receive cash through a reconciliation process with Ray of Hope.

PBM is a protocol that specifies the conditions upon which an underlying digital currency (such as stablecoins) can be used, which has the capability for money to be directed towards a specific purpose, and the potential to promote increased donation by providing unprecedented transparency and integrity in the donation process.

Using the StraitsX issued stablecoin that is compliant with the forthcoming Singapore regulatory framework, Coda Bridge highlights their commitment to revolutionise the global charity landscape through digital innovation while ensuring continual compliance with evolving regulatory frameworks. In addition, the versatility of StraitsX-issued stablecoin extends beyond commercial use cases such as the recent go-live of a cross-border solution allowing Alipay+ payment partner apps to pay at GrabPay merchants in Singapore. By tapping on the capabilities of programmable money, StraitsX and Coda Bridge envision a future characterized by groundbreaking efficiency in funds transfer across multiple real-world use cases.

This pilot project will run from November 2024 to February 2025. If successful, this innovation in charity donations will expand the use cases of PBM and XSGD with the aim of including more charities and social enterprises within Singapore.

Hashtag: #CodaBridge #StraitsX

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Coda Bridge

, headquartered in Hong Kong and backed by leading venture capitalists, merges the expertise of seasoned financial and IT professionals. Our company harnesses the power of FinTech to innovate and drive efficiency in digital transactions through our blockchain based Purpose Bound Money platform, tailored for specific financial needs.

French Research Institute Discusses Ecosystem Sustainability with Lao, French Partners in Luang Prabang

Open New research and training center for Southeast Asian professionals and students specialized in food safety issues and water-related health risks (Photo Credit: IRD DaLam)

On 18 to 19 November, the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) held a meeting in Luang Prabang, Laos, with local and French partners to discuss ecosystem sustainability and the One Health approach. The event featured discussions on key issues such as land use, water resources, and biodiversity, with participants including scientists, officials, and donors.

Hoa Sen Home emerges as Vietnam’s leading building materials & furniture supermarket chain


HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 November 2024 – Hoa Sen Home has established itself as a leader in Vietnam’s rapidly growing building materials market. As the official distributor of renowned building materials and furniture brands locally and internationally, it offers a wide range of high-quality products, all backed by exceptional customer service.

Hoa Sen Home is the official distributor of many renowned building materials and furniture brands in Vietnam and internationally.
Hoa Sen Home is the official distributor of many renowned building materials and furniture brands in Vietnam and internationally.


Hoa Sen Home operates Vietnam’s most significant building materials and furniture supermarket chain, with 115 supermarkets and over 300 stores nationwide. The company provides thousands of products, from basic building materials to finishing materials, including steel sheets, steel pipes, plastic pipes, construction steel, tiles, various types of paints, sanitary wares, hand tools, power tools and household electrical appliances, etc. This extensive product range attracts customers and presents numerous opportunities for suppliers to expand their businesses.

Mr. Stone, Export Manager of ARROW, a leading Chinese sanitary ware company, was impressed after visiting Hoa Sen Home’s supermarkets and stores in Vietnam. “I am amazed by the extremely diverse range of products Hoa Sen Home offers. In stores like these, consumers can find everything they need for their homes. Hoa Sen Group has done a remarkable job in this regard,” said Mr. Stone.

Mr. Cai Xin Yan, General Manager of MONGA, a leading sanitary ware manufacturer in Guangdong Province, China, highly values Hoa Sen Home. “Thanks to its comprehensive network of supermarkets, services, and suppliers, we can collaborate to deliver products efficiently and quickly. We also see that Hoa Sen Home is heading in the right direction, particularly by embracing digital transformation and e-commerce trends to enhance the customer experience,” said Mr. Cai Xin Yan.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sunny, General Manager of EAOH, a leading stainless steel sink manufacturer in Guangdong Province, China, and a strategic partner of major global building materials supermarkets, including The Home Depot (USA), shared: “Hoa Sen Home has been very professional in many areas, from product exchanges and returns to delivery processes and payments. We look forward to deepening our cooperation with Hoa Sen Home.”

Hoa Sen Home, an affiliate of Hoa Sen Group – one of the top 10 largest private enterprises in Vietnam, is the country’s largest and only building materials and furniture supermarket chain. With its expansive distribution network, Hoa Sen Home allows partners to connect with millions of potential customers.

Partnering with Hoa Sen Home is a business opportunity and a chance to strengthen brands in Vietnam’s dynamic market. The partnership promises long-term benefits, fostering a sustainable ecosystem that empowers businesses to thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.

For further information, please contact:

Hoa Sen Home Representative Office in China

Address: Room 911-912, Building 5, No. 7, Guoji Center, Huadu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong, China
Email: china.office@hoasengroup.vn
Hotline: +86 153 6088 8633

Hashtag: #HoaSenHome #HoaSenGroup

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.