Lao Voices

I was very happy to read about the launching of Sao Lao Magazine by the Lao Women’s Union in Friday’s Vientiane Times Newspaper. I can’t wait to get my hands on the first issue of the magazine and will call my aunt in Vientiane tomorrow to buy a copy and send it to me. I really like the part about the emphasis of the magazine to “promoting a positive identity for Lao women of all ethnic groups.” Hopefully in the near future Sao Lao will have an online version so all Sao Lao all over the world can have access to the magazine.

Lao women’s magazine unveiled

The Lao Women’s Union held a launch ceremony yesterday to unveil the inaugural issue of their monthly magazine, Sao Lao.

This is the first time the union has published a magazine, since it founded its newspaper in 1984, and then established an FM radio station in 1986. Two years later, the union expanded its communication network to include a television programme as the main forum to promote the advancement of Lao women.

“I’m glad that Sao Lao magazine has been made public, as it’s an important new publication of the Department of Information, as well as of the Lao Women’s Union,” Ms Sisay Leudedmounsone said.

She said the establishment of the Lao magazine was a new venture for the union, designed to offer more choices in magazines about women’s issues for both Lao and foreign readers.

“ At the moment, we have a limited number of workers and face many difficulties because this is our first attempt at a magazine, but I think it can be improved if readers, both from the government and the private sector, give us their comments and opinions,” she said.

Currently, the magazine consists of 23-25 columns and 56 four-colour pages, including the cover, although the union will increase the size of the publication to 70-80 pages as the number and capacity of the production staff grows.

Sao Lao magazine was created in response to demands from Lao women of all ethnic groups. The magazine will focus on the promotion of women’s advancement, the implementation of gender equality in family and society, and the evolution of a new generation that protects, restores and builds the customs, traditions, livelihood and cultural vitality of the nation as a whole, as well as of women.

“At present, globalisation, information technology and the market-oriented economy influence our values and daily-life preferences,” said Ms Vilayvieng Phimmasone, Director of the Information Department.

“There is a tradition in young women that includes politeness, discretion, generosity, hospitality, patriotism and humility – these are the charms of Lao women, all of which are themes in the magazine,” Ms Vilayvieng said.

Sao Lao will also be a forum for disseminating Party policy on the development and promotion of women’s advancement, providing healthcare information, promoting a positive identity for Lao women of all ethnic groups and, in particular, the various values that concern readers.

It is also seen as a medium for exchanging products and services, and will facilitate domestic and foreign investment.

Some of the income generated by the magazine will be contributed to the Underprivileged Women’s Development Fund.

The magazine is preparing to release its second issue at the beginning of October; readers can buy the current issue at bookshops in Vientiane, or subscribe by contacting the union directly.

The ceremony was attended by the executive board of the Lao Women’s Union, relevant guests and the media, and took place at the Women’s Development Centre in Phonthane-kang village, Sisattanak district.

By PHOONSAB THEVONGSA
September 28, 2007
Vientiane Times - Vientianetimes.org.la