Phnom penh: Cambodia has seen significant progress in women's education, economic empowerment, health, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention, and leadership over the past 30 years, said Cambodia's Minister of Women's Affairs Ing Kantha Phavi. She emphasized that these achievements have been driven by strong political will from the highest levels of leadership, a comprehensive governmental approach, and inclusive partnerships across civil society, the private sector, and development partners.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the minister highlighted that women and their families have benefited from sustained peace, poverty reduction, decent work, and significant economic growth. Gender equality has been a central focus of the government's Rectangular Strategy, which acknowledges that women are integral to Cambodia's economy and society.

The current government continues to uphold this legacy through the Pentagonal Strategy, which emphasizes ongoing investment in gender equality and the creation of a highly civilized, ethical, equitable, and inclusive society where women play a central role. The minister pointed to significant progress in women's development, especially in education.

In the realm of education, Cambodia has nearly achieved gender parity at the primary and secondary levels, with continuous improvements observed in higher education and postgraduate studies. Female students now constitute 52.51 percent of all tertiary-level students nationwide, and women account for 10.32 percent of PhD candidates.

Economic empowerment has seen women taking vital roles as breadwinners, with Cambodia boasting one of the highest female workforce participation rates in ASEAN. This has been supported by economic growth and ecosystems that enable decent jobs, entrepreneurship, and care services, including social protection programs and childcare facilities.

In terms of health, the maternal mortality rate has significantly decreased from 437 in 2000 to 154 per 100,000 live births in 2022, attributed to improved access to maternal health and reproductive services. GBV prevention efforts have also shown results, with domestic violence prevalence dropping from 29 percent in 2014 to 21 percent in 2021, due to enhanced multi-sectoral responses and victim-centered services.

In leadership, women constitute 42 percent of civil servants and hold 27 percent of decision-making roles, highlighting their critical role as drivers of change, innovation, and resilience.