The Issue in Brief

The challenges faced by developing countries in providing basic quality-of-life services to a majority of their citizens, especially the rural poor, are numerous and well-documented. Sometimes overlooked, however, are the many ethnic minority groups that exist within these societies. Because of language and cultural differences and geographic barriers, these communities are often the last to benefit from national development efforts and are most likely to be excluded from even the most minimal educational and economic opportunities.

Because of the lack of formal education for these groups and the gap that already exists in education and skills training opportunities for women in particular, ethnic minority girls and women are considered the most disadvantaged sector of many developing nations. Nonformal education programs specifically designed for these underserved and isolated populations are imperative for improving their basic living conditions and increasing their participation in society.

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The Context in Laos

After years of war and isolation, the mountainous landlocked country of Lao People's Democratic Republic faces classic development challenges. Almost all livelihood activities in Laos (80%) are based on agriculture, mainly subsistence farming. Per capita income in the country is $350 per year with high population growth, and almost two thirds of the population lives in poverty. In terms of education, 57% of the people of Laos receive no formal schooling, and the literacy rate is 43%. For women in the poorest and most remote areas, the literacy rate is just 20%.

Since 1986, the government of Laos has undertaken economic and political reforms in response to its developmental needs and in the process has opened up to the outside world. Within the country, however, the rural poor, and especially ethnic minority groups, remain not only isolated from the outside but cut off from mainstream Laotian society as well.

Because villagers are primarly occupied with food production and other aspects of daily life, and due to the long distances between villages and poor roads, many rural Laotians have no opportunity to participate in formal education. This problem is especially severe for Laos' ethnic minorities. Providing educational opportunities to these disadvantaged communities is made particularly difficult by low literacy rates in the myriad indigenous languages used by these groups, some of which are not written, and the inability to speak, read, or write Lao.

To reach these groups and help them establish the foundations for development in their villages, the Laos government, backed by UNESCO and Norwegian funds, has undertaken an innovative non-formal education project based on the needs of ethnic minority women.

To look at an overview of the project, project activities, or project outcomes and implications, click on the corresponding heading.

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