In Laos, many young girls from poor and ethnic minority communities are being forced or tricked into sex work. Some girls are as young as ten years old. They are promised good jobs, but end up in hidden places in the capital city where foreign men from Japan, China, and South Korea come to exploit them. Poverty and family pressure make it hard for the girls to escape. More Laotian girls are marrying Chinese men through brokers because many men in China cannot find wives. Some poor families agree because they are offered more money than local dowries. While some girls live well, others face abuse. Critics say this is a kind of trafficking. Girls from ethnic minority groups often have few job choices and face discrimination in cities. Some end up in prostitution through people they trust. Chinese-funded projects have brought more contact between Lao women and Chinese men. Experts say stronger laws and more pressure on the Lao government are needed to help stop this problem.

Pray for the Laotian government to immediately implement more stringent laws to safeguard the safety and freedoms of all women and girls in the nation. Pray for justice to be served for the victims of gender-based violence and discrimination in Laos (The Holy Bible, Psalm 37:6).

Pray for enhanced lives and livelihoods of the poor people, especially the families of the girl children in Laos. Pray for safe educational and employment opportunities for all the poor and ethnic minorities in the country (The Holy Bible, Psalm 30:1).

Pray for divine protection upon all the girl children and women in Laos. Pray against all gender-based violence and social discrimination of women in the name of poverty and ethnic differences in the country (The Holy Bible, Psalm 12:5).

News Source: South China Morning Post

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