Since 2008, the Gender Resource Information and Development Center (GRID), under the Lao National Women’s Union and Alliance Anti Trafic (AAT) have jointly realized a pilot project to prevent women and children from the risks of any form of exploitation. Among several goals, the project’s main purpose was to empower women and children to be socially and economically active.
This pilot project adopted a new approach, focusing on the beneficiaries’ own participation through the creation of new community-based alternatives and therefore the development of vocational choices.
Successfully, we could support target women, children and families in following up 64 of them, generating sustainable income to 44 ones, providing services through its learning center (Second Home) to 67 persons, and raising awareness towards human trafficking in 15 villages. Beneficiaries were among the most vulnerable groups. We furthermore, could develop the collaboration between Thai and Lao relevant agencies. Moreover, the pilot project has been adopted by the National Anti Trafficking Commission of Lao PDR.
So, the need for the pilot project to continue was evident.