Our Pegase program combats the exploitation and trafficking of children in Southeast Asia. To deploy it in Laos, we rely on the GDA (Gender Development Association).
Thatsany Keomany is its conductor. She talks to us about her background and motivations.
Can you tell us about your background before joining the GDA association?
Before joining the GDA association, I had the chance to work for a women's rights association in Laos for 6 years, then in a private company for 2 years. I obtained a Bachelor's degree in political science in Laos in 2014, which I completed a few years later with an MBA in project management in Malaysia. I also took a legal training course, before fully rediscovering my commitment to social development.
What experiences have helped you most in your current role?
My career path has given me a solid grounding in project management, organization and, above all, field work. Being in direct contact with the people I work with has taught me a lot: listening, understanding real needs, building useful and sustainable projects. Working hand in hand with other players also gave me a taste for teamwork and collaborative leadership.
What made you want to work in development, and why did you choose GDA?
I believe deeply in equity and the power of inclusive, people-led change. Early on, I saw how inequality could hold back lives, and it became clear to me that sustainable development is not just about providing services, but also about empowering people to shape their future.
GDA seduced me with its powerful commitment to women's empowerment and gender equality at all levels - social, economic and political. The approach based on capacity building and advocacy for policy change resonates deeply with my values and experiences. I admire the way GDA not only implements projects, but also strives to challenge harmful norms and support profound long-term change.
What are you most proud of in your work today?
Today, as project manager, I'm working on Pegase, a program to prevent violence against children, particularly child exploitation and trafficking. I work with families, local partners and wonderful teams.
We strive to strengthen family ties, support responsible parenthood, defend children's rights and raise awareness of the risks facing children. In addition to my project management work, I have the privilege of being a social worker who works closely with families through individual visits. We create a solid plan to ensure that families receive the benefits they need.
What touches me most is to see concrete, lasting, positive changes: parents better informed, children supported to go to school, families regaining their self-confidence, women and girls involved. It's incredibly gratifying to see someone take on a leadership role, stand up for themselves or support others, thanks to the confidence and tools we've given them through our programs.
