Attendants of the National Forum on Women in Leadership and Governance on November 20. NA
The National Assembly (NA) stated that both the legislature and the executive branches of government have a strong political will to encourage, promote and strengthen the role of women to achieve the Cambodia’s sustainable development goals (SDGs) and its vision for 2030 and 2050.
The body has passed comprehensive laws to integrate gender equality into public policy and laws, taking into account the challenges faced by women.
Khuon Sudary, president of the NA, made the remarks on November 20 at the National Forum on Women in Leadership and Governance, themed "Women in Public Decision-Making and Politics," organised by the Ministry of Women's Affairs.
“The NA has been strongly promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women through various initiatives and parliamentary forums and is actively involved in many national and international mechanisms," he was quoted as saying in an NA statement.
“Prime Minister Hun Manet once said, ‘The world would be safer, more beautiful and warmer if more women become leaders’. The Pentagonal Strategy-Phase I clearly demonstrates the government's continued commitment to promoting gender equality," he stated.
Despite efforts focusing on gender equality, the NA highlighted ongoing challenges, particularly regarding the number of women in politics and the public sector.
According to the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023, women constitute about 26.7 per cent of legislatures and 35.5 per cent of governments globally.
In Cambodia, during the NA's seventh mandate, the proportion of women in top leadership positions increased from 14.75 per cent to 16.13 per cent in the Senate, but the number of female members of National Assembly decreased from 20.8 per cent to 13.6 per cent.
The number of women at the sub-national level has seen positive growth however. Their participation as commune chiefs and council members increased from 130 (about 8 per cent) to 176 (about 11 per cent).
Women's affairs minister Ing Kantha Phavi stated that Cambodia is among the ten countries in the world that have achieved the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on maternal health, with the maternal mortality rate dropping from 472 in 2005 to 154 per 100,000 live births in 2022.
According to the 2022 World Economic Forum, Cambodia ranks 41st out of 146 countries in women's ownership or management of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a high rate in the region.
“Cambodian women are valued and recognised by the international community for their participation in maintaining security and peace. Cambodia ranks first among ASEAN countries and 13th out of 120 countries in sending women soldiers on UN peacekeeping operations," she stated.
Kantha Phavi emphasised that in Cambodia, both the legislature and the executive branches genuinely aim to encourage, promote and strengthen the role of women in achieving SDGs and the Kingdom’s vision for 2030 and 2050.
