Shoestring Student

Laos Agricultural Workers Women in Laos contribute to the country's labour at a rate of 73% (while men are at 78%), one of the highest rates in South East Asia. However, despite this, there are still high levels of unpaid work. Over 70% of  'unpaid family workers'  are women and girls and only 32% are identified as 'own account workers' suggesting that they are less likely to be engaged in work with an income they themselves control. Wage gaps are present between genders, and women also work longer hours, working on average  1.3 more hours . These issues are exacerbated in rural agricultural work. Laos Women's Union As Laos' economy continues to grow, the issue of gender equity remains increasingly important. As a student of Gender Studies I am interested in how this equity can grow in Laos and how international organisations can assist. Within Laos, the Lao Women’s Union is at the forefront of fighting for women’s a...

Wat Xieng Thong In 1995, Luang Prabang was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its mixture of French colonial villas, Buddhist temples and beautiful landscapes are enchanting to visitors. Ever since, tourism has been a fundamental aspect of the town's economy and culture. While the architectural heritage has been protected by UNESCO regulations, Luang Prabang as a living city has become defined by its past and has steadily rejected long term residents. Prices have risen dramatically, leaving only the wealthy able to afford to live in Luang Prabang. Francis Engelmann, former UNESCO consultant, stated 'we have saved Luang Prabang's buildings but we have lots its soul'. Anthropologist David Berliner refers to this as the ‘unescoization’; the development into ‘idealised traditions’ for the tourist gaze. Traditions like the monks’ alms procession, as I've previously written about, have been affected by tourists turning the ritual into a...