Starting Point
PHENGTHALANGSY serves as the Head of the International Relations Unit within the Provincial Division of Foreign Affairs. This unit is directly supervised by the Director General of the Provincial Division of Foreign Affairs. Its responsibility is to foster coordination and collaboration with international, national, and local agencies to support the province's development. Addressing UXO challenges is a key responsibility of the unit, requiring collaborative efforts with stakeholders and partnerships with internal and international entities to secure funding, technical expertise, and resources. The ultimate goal is to create UXO-free areas, prioritising community safety and well-being.
With over 10 years of experience in this field, she has actively addressed UXO issues at the provincial level to support the District, lower level, and society. Her efforts focus on improving, monitoring, and ensuring the safety of communities by working toward UXO related to raising awareness about safety measures to promote peace.
She highlighted that as a woman working in the UXO sector, she focuses on helping others, particularly women, and ensuring communities stay safe from unexploded ordnance. This work provides an opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge about UXO while learning new skills throughout clearance, prevention, recovery, and addressing its broader impacts. Additionally, it involves creating and improving plans, projects, and strategies related to UXO, all aimed at promoting better and more sustainable development.
Peace Journey
PHENGTHALANGSY significantly contributes to UXO efforts in Khammuan. She fosters collaboration among local authorities, international organisations, NGOs, and other stakeholders, facilitating partnerships to secure funding, technical support, and resources for UXO clearance and prevention. She plays a key role in overseeing UXO clearance operations, ensuring they align with plans and safety standards. Her involvement in field monitoring helps address challenges, assess progress and ensure effective implementation. She also provides logistical and administrative support, organising training sessions to enhance local capacity in UXO safety and clearance.
Her contributions include preparing reports, proposals and other essential documentation for project planning and stakeholder engagement, as well as drafting policies and strategies to guide UXO activities. Additionally, she leads awareness campaigns to educate communities about UXO risks, promote safe practices and foster a safety culture. These efforts collectively aim to reduce accidents, enhance safety and promote sustainable development, reflecting her critical role in creating a safer environment free from UXO hazards in the province.
Success Stories
PHENGTHALANGSY’s work in UXO in Khammuan Province reflects significant achievements and valuable lessons. Her successes include improved coordination with stakeholders by fostering communication between international organisations, local authorities and communities, as well as forming partnerships with NGOs and government agencies. Awareness campaigns have also been critical in educating communities about UXO risks and reducing accidents, utilising innovative and locally tailored methods.
PHENGTHALANGSY shared that streamlined documentation systems have enhanced UXO clearance tracking, influencing policies and priorities. Community safety has improved through UXO clearance efforts, enabling productive land use and active community involvement in risk reduction. Capacity-building initiatives have also empowered local staff and communities, fostering self-reliance in UXO management.
Her insights highlight the importance of local engagement in building trust and tailoring solutions to cultural contexts. Adaptability in addressing logistical challenges and implementing context-specific strategies has proven essential. A holistic approach, integrating socio-economic development and mental health support, ensures sustainability. Reliable data management and ongoing awareness programs maintain effectiveness and prevent complacency. Moreover, coordination across borders and agencies is particularly critical in regions like Khammuan, where cross-border implications exist.
As a woman in UXO work, PHENGTHALANGSY acknowledged women's unique challenges rooted in cultural, societal, and operational factors. Traditional gender roles in some communities discourage women from participating in technical or hazardous roles, while domestic responsibilities further limit their professional opportunities. Women also face underrepresentation in leadership due to ingrained biases. Psychologically, women may experience trauma from working in conflict-affected areas and often lack mentorship or peer networks to support their professional growth.