Under its new mandate, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA) will continue to focus on human resources development specifically aiming at women’s leadership skills in the political, social and economic areas to respond to national and regional issues.

In response to globalization, MoWA will emphasize building the capacity of our people, especially women, to be more competitive and innovative in the job market as well as to increase their ability to adapt to changes and learn to become successful entrepreneurs and workers, thus ensuring the continued economic growth of Cambodia. Also, we will continue aiming at increasing the economic empowerment of women in order to help reduce their vulnerability and make them equal partners with men in society. To implement this, we have been coordinating with relevant ministries to disseminate information to women related to the labor law, among others, to protect their rights and initiate income-generating activities, thus improving the livelihood of rural women, providing them with vocational skills in agricultural and non-agricultural businesses and informing them about the market needs for their production or their businesses.

To promote the well-being of women and girls, we are joining the line ministries to implement the Royal Government of Cambodia’s new policy on social protection with the theme “No One Left Behind,” ensuring that women, pregnant women, elderly women, girls and vulnerable groups will reap benefits from our strong national economic development.

To reduce violence against women and girls, MoWA in cooperation with the line ministries, is backing implementation of National Action Plan 2019–2023 on preventing all forms of violence against women and girls as well as the promotion of social morality and the values of women and Khmer families. We will pay closer attention to social and civic education—aiming at a positive change in the society mindset: no discrimination against women, more responsible alcohol consumption and putting an end to drug trafficking. We will expand the current program related to “Positive Education for Children” and will collaborate with families for implementation. In the area of domestic violence, we will continue to promote the culture of dialogue in the family for conflict resolution and to expand the “Good Man” campaign. As for the behavior of youth in utilizing modern technology, we will work on raising awareness among young people about accountability for one’s actions and using technology in a more responsible way for education, information and knowledge.

“In 2019, we will continue to focus on the development of female human resources and to ensure that women are economically empowered”