The US Agency for International Development (USAID) and three other organisations have jointly launched a campaign – “My Good Husband, My Smart Children” – to raise public awareness of child-rearing strategies.

USAID works in partnership with RTI International, Helen Keller International and Safe Haven to launch the behavioural change communication campaign through integrated early childhood development activities. The aim of the campaign is to encourage children to thrive and reach their full developmental potential through nurturing care, starting from before birth.

According to a joint press release, two public events will be held in Siem Reap province: One on April 1 at the Heritage Walk Mall in Siem Reap town and the other on April 8 at Kampong Kdei High School in Chi Kraeng district. Each event is expected to attract approximately 30 key stakeholders and 170 households, and will feature a book fair and expo.

John Ames, country director and chief of party of the Integrated Early Childhood Development (IECD) at RTI International, said the campaign aims to raise equal involvement and participation between men and women in raising young children.

“This will help children to achieve their potential in each important development stage – intelligence, language, social-emotional and physical development,” he said.

Thon Sina, head of the Siem Reap provincial Childhood Education Office, said the campaign is key to reducing gender differences in child care, which have had a profound effect on a child’s development and nutrition, both of which are social concerns.

“The campaign is designed to support the government’s efforts to improve development outcomes for children under 5 through enhanced care giving strategies,” she added.