United Nations in Cambodia

Cambodia has seen an increasing trend in migration over the last two decades pushed by better job prospects abroad and closer bilateral cooperation with neighbouring countries. Migrants make immense contribution to the Cambodian economy through regular remittances sent home and by enriching the labour market with skills picked up from abroad. Women are almost equal contributors to these benefits. Yet, they face disproportionate challenges in their migration journey and, when they return, faced with the family’s indebtedness and loss of income to repay their debts. Women migrant workers who returned to Cambodia due to the COVID-19 pandemic are more likely than men to face financial difficulties and be in debt[1]. According to the World Bank, the percentage of firms with female ownership in Cambodia is estimated the highest in the region[2]. Women’s ownership of businesses is highest in the micro- enterprise sector (62%), while only 26% of small and medium enterprises (SME) are owned by women[3]. In a post-COVID-19 environment, the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector is predicted to play an important role in socio-economic recovery, according to the Royal Government of Cambodia’s priority sectors for recovery. However, only a very small proportion of women entrepreneurs are well served in terms of financing their business, with most relying on family and informal sources, clearly indicating a gap in the provision of banking and microfinance institutions’ services. To minimize the overall economic impact, the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) expedited rolling out a credit guarantee scheme to boost growth in the MSME sector. The sector is disproportionately made up of women entrepreneurs and is a major source of employment for women. A joint programme[4] implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and UN Development Programme (UNDP) aimed to modify the design of the policy and operations of the credit guarantee scheme to maximize the benefits to women entrepreneurs and employees and create more jobs, particularly for low skilled workers such as migrant women. A recent IOM report highlighted the urgent need to include reintegration pathways for returning migrant women to Cambodia, to enable them to contribute to the recovery in the MSME sector, considering the changes this sector is undergoing due to the impact of the pandemic. The economic empowerment effort should be set within an overall framework of an effective reintegration plan to ensure a smooth resettlement of the migrant women in the local economy and their social settings. Some of the small businesses set up by migrants before the pandemic continue to thrive and provide a much-needed economic contribution in their local communities. Here are three women working against the odds to run their businesses. Sakheam Sakheam (aged 42) returned to Cambodia in late September 2019, a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic started. She and her husband, Nge, migrated to Thailand in 2003 and worked in many sectors ranging from agriculture and construction to food businesses. When Nge suffered a knee injury, the couple spent their savings on his treatment. As an undocumented worker in Thailand, Nge could not access any state support. When it became clear that Nge would never fully recover from his injury which prevented him from returning to work, the couple decided to return to Cambodia and start their own business. “We agreed that we were too old to work for other people anymore,” said Sakheam, now back in Banteay Meanchey province, bordering the Thai province of Sa Kaeo. Having learned how to cook many traditional Thai dishes, Sakheam now runs her restaurant. Her cooking is recognized and admired by her neighbours and fellow villagers. She and her husband started their business by borrowing money from relatives and a bank. Despite the impact of the COVID-19, Sakheam’s business has been able to retain its regular customers and almost paid back her bank loan. Her goal is to invest in her business and expand the restaurant’s menu with time. Sorida Sorida’s business is another example of a successful social enterprise. She started a natural beauty product business in 2019. Her entrepreneurship is fueled by her concern for her nieces and nephews when their parents migrate due to work reasons. “It broke my heart to see them feel lonely when their parents left to work in Thailand, and they had to stay here in Cambodia with their grandparents’’. She is keen to make a living here in Cambodia so that her nieces and nephews can stay with their parents and support their families in their home country. Sorida also migrated herself to Thailand and after coming back after several months, she started her business by producing handmade facial soap from locally sourced ingredients. At the moment, the family business is run by three women, but Sorida plans to provide job opportunities to women, particularly migrant workers, as her business grows. By investing in learning new skills, Sorida’s business can now also supply a variety of products such as facial soap, facial oil, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, mosquito spray, and shower gel. Sorida recently participated in community outreach organized by IOM and the provincial employment agency aiming to improve migrants’ access to information on local employment opportunities. “Having the right skills and knowing the market is necessary when starting a business,” added Sorida. She also stressed the importance of following one’s passion, with commitment and hard work. “We all can start our business from existing resources at our disposal. We should not wait until we have everything: start first and learn along the way,” said Sorida. She has now opened a shop in Phnom Penh and her products are available in many outlets across Cambodia. She hopes to set up a factory in Banteay Meanchey province where she can employ migrant workers and support many more households. Saroum Saroum (aged 42) is a successful entrepreneur from Banteay Meanchey province. His business makes products made from coconut, including coconut juice, coconut jelly, and coconut coffee, with products now available in three big cities across Cambodia. Saroum employs over 70 people in his company, most of whom are migrant workers who returned from abroad. He finds it easier to work with returned migrant workers from Thailand because he can relate to their experience. Before starting his food business in 2019 in Banteay Meanchey, Saroum used to migrate to work in Thailand for more than 15 years, where he worked in the construction, gardening, and catering industry. The experience proved useful as he gained business management skills and became fluent in Thai. One of Saroum’s employees, Lisa (aged 27), has been working for his company for almost three years, currently as a finance officer. In her view, the company always provided equal opportunities to both male and female workers and did not discriminate against illiterate staff. But following one’s entrepreneurship dream is not always a linear path to success. When Saroum, returned to Cambodia in 2017, he started a seafood business which soon failed, but ‘failures are a good lesson learnt’, he says. He was determined not to give up and then switched to selling coconut products. Saoum, who, together with Sorida, participated in community outreach organized by IOM and the provincial employment agency, claimed that his flexibility, hard work and management skills have been crucial in growing his business. “The most important part of doing a business is knowing how to create, manage, solve problems, and be responsible,” he added. The United Nations Joint Programme “Unlocking Cambodian Women’s Potential through Fiscal Space Creation” was implemented in Cambodia between November 2020 and March 2022 by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The programme was funded by the United Nations Multi Partner COVID-19 Response & Recovery Fund. [1] UNFPA, 2020: Rapid Assessment on Social and Health Impact of COVID-19 Among Returning Migrant Workers in Cambodia. Available at: https://cambodia.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/final_survey_report_rmw_rapid_assessment_20dec2020.pdf [2] International Finance Corporation (IFC), 2019: Exploring the Opportunities for Women-owned SMEs in Cambodia. Available at: https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/9e469291-d3f5-43a5-bea2-2558313995ab/Market+Research+Report+on+Women_owned+SMEs+in+Cambodia.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=mOU6fpx [3] Cambodia Inter-censal Economic Survey 2014 [4] funded by the UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Multi-Partner Trust Fund

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Press Release

09 December 2021

Launch of the Cambodia Futures Lab

Cambodia Futures Lab is introducing a 6-month learning initiative to co-create pathways for a prosperous, inclusive and innovative Cambodia to bring stakeholders from government, private sector and civil society and the UN to rethink how cross-sectoral issues of social protection, climate change and digital transformation can be taken into consideration in policy solutions. How can diverse stakeholders reimagine together more sustainable futures? How can leadership, innovation and learning help reshape Cambodia’s development pathways to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development? “To ensure that our policies reach the farthest and the most marginalized, our responses should be collectively designed and driven by government, business, civil society and development partners. Our first step is Cambodia Futures Lab to promote policy integration, especially in social protection and ensure no one is left behind.” said His Excellency, Boros Samheng, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation. “We commit to multilateralism in the 21st century, where the UN can provide a platform, such as the Cambodia Futures Lab, to facilitate cross-sectoral collaboration, nurture innovation and generate solutions necessary to accelerate achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable development," said Pauline Tamesis, the UN Resident Coordinator in Cambodia The opening remarks included a presentation by Prof. Otto Scharmer from MIT/Presencing Institute, the author of the “Theory U: Leading from the Future as it Emerges”, the concept is known to describe the fundamental mindset shift from ego to eco and from siloed to networked institutions to address the complex challenges of sustainable development. Participants discussed the key elements of systems thinking, collective intention building and systems sensing exercises as a cornerstone for advancing sustainable development in Cambodia. For media inquiries, please contact: Ms. Sreysros Keo, Programme Communication and Advocacy Officer of the UN Resident Coordinator Office Tel: +855 11 88 57 66, E-mail: sreysros.keo@un.org Mr. Chhour Sopannha, Head of Social Assistant Sub-Committee Secretariat, Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation Tel: +855 12 53 81 18, Email : chhoursopannha@yahoo.com

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Speech

08 December 2021

Workshop on Sharing Experience and Dissemination of a Smart City Concept for Sihanoukville

It is a privilege to deliver welcome remarks in person at today’s Workshop on Sharing Experience and Dissemination of a Smart City Concept for Sihanoukville. This event is a culminating activity of the UN joint programme, ‘Sihanoukville for All: Promoting a Smart, Sustainable, and Inclusive City” organized by the United Nations in Cambodia and the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Office. Thank you H.E. Sor Vorin, Deputy Director-General of General Department of Administration, Ministry of Interior, H.E. Kong Vitanak, Deputy-Governor of Preah Sihanouk Province and Chair of the Sihanoukville Smart City Working Group and all distinguished participants from Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang, and the members of the Smart City Working Group for your time and engagement. Our work on smart and inclusive city in Sihanoukville is made possible by the UN Human Security Trust Fund. We are grateful for their support. It complements initiatives and projects already implemented in Sihanoukville by other UN agencies, not the least, UNICEF on child protection and child-friendly support, UNDP on payment ecosystem services and tackling maritime plastic litter projects. Addressing you today, I recall the UN Country Team’s visit and meeting with H.E Kuoch Chamroeun, Governor of Preah Sihanouk Province, two years ago around the same time late November 2019. At that time, we discussed a range of issues, including urbanization, economic growth and inclusive development. As the result of that discussion, we have developed a shared understanding and a common vision for a smart, sustainable and inclusive city concept for Sihanoukville. What have we learned since that initial meeting and in the activities, we implemented under the joint programme? Our starting point is the joint aspiration for the implementation of the smart city concept in Sihanoukville is grounded on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the achievement of the SDGs. While Sustainable Development Goal 11: “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” is the most directly related to the concept of a smart city; other goals and targets related to poverty (SDG 1), hunger (SDG 2), health (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5), inequality (SDG 10), water (SDG 6 & 14), climate change (SDG 13) and land (SDG 15), must also be integrated in the smart city framework. Linking the smart city project to the SDGs alone is also not enough. No city can be considered ‘smart’ if it ignores the interests of poor, marginalized and vulnerable groups and communities. To be a real smart city, Sihanoukville must conform to city master plans and incorporate international standards and guidelines related to housing, sustainable development, environmental protection, disaster prepardness, forced evictions and displacement. It means adopting an inclusive and sustainable approach to development; ensuring the right to participation and information, such as the representation of city residents in monitoring mechanisms; promoting gender equality; and respecting human rights, particularly those related to land and housing for everyone. A smart, sustainable and inclusive city integrates a human security approach, a programme framework that addresses Sihanoukville and its people’s needs. The development of a Sustainable, Inclusive, Smart City Concept for Sihanoukville implements the guiding principle “Leaving no one behind.” How? By promoting a novel alliance between citizens and local authorities, encouraging citizens participation and improving the local governance through the smart city approach and tools. Centering attention on people, applying the human rights lens, and focusing on the specific needs of women, girls and youth drive the design and implementation roadmap of the Smart City Strategy in Sihanoukville. In terms of implementation, there are at least three points of reflection I wanted to share with you: Importance of forming a ‘smart city working group’, which is composed of different stakeholders and enables engagement throughout the process. The engagement of national and local stakeholders, in turn, promotes ownership, leadership and cooperation. Through multi-stakeholder consultations, an inclusive assessment process can be facilitated. The consultations also allow deepening understanding of the ‘human security approach’ and ‘leaving no one behind’ principle. I quote Kofi Annan, former UN Secretaty General, who said, “there is no peace without development, there is no development without peace, there is no peace and development without human rights.” Our commitment is to help government fulfill its obligation of providing space for civic participation and reducing social exclusion as well as poverty. With this commitment, we can accelerate the drive towards a smart, sustainable and inclusive Sihanoukville. As we all know, Cambodia will be the Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2022. I think there will be more opportunities for engagement and cooperation within ASEAN framework on smart city initiatives and projects. As I am aware, Phnom Penh, Battambang and Siem Reap cities have been members of the ASEAN Smart City Network, whereas Sihanoukville has also applied for membership. I see the coordination role of the Ministry of Interior as the Chair of the national Steering Committee of Smart Cities is crucial in setting out national smart city policy/strategy to be implemented in Cambodia and in supporting regional ASEAN smart city network. With the request from the Ministry of Interior for the UN’s technical cooperation and support, we have reached out to various partners within the UN system – the country team, the UN Human Security Trust Fund and ESCAP and development partners and it is still under ongoing discussions. During the dinner yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet and learn from various participants on their smart city initiatives and projects. I think these ideas are useful for us to follow up and link with lessons from various consultative processes in Sihanoukville, and consequently support development of smart city policy framework at national level. I see the opportunity for all of us to revisit development pathways to build forward better from the pandemic and to truly keep people and planet at the center of recovery efforts. Given this, my hope is that this two-day workshop moves the discussions forward and solicits inputs for the Ministry of Interior and municipalities from Phnom Penh, Battambang, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. In closing, I reiterate the UN’s appreciation of the strong cooperation at both the national level and provincial levels. The Smart City Assessment and Concept reports that we have worked together, will be aspirational for Phnom Penh, Battambang, Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk provinces, and instrumental for the Royal Government for the development a national smart city policy framework. Once again I convey our sincere thanks and gratitude to Provincial Governor H.E. Kuoch Chamroeun. We look forward to our continued collaboration. Thank you.

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Speech

08 December 2021

Cambodia and the fourth Industrial Revolution workshop

H.E. Mr. Cham Prasidh, Senior Minister, MISTI H.E. Vongsey Vissoth, Delegate Minister attached to Prime Minister and Permanent Secretary of State, MEF or H.E. Kong Mary, Under Secretary of State Mr. Anthony Robert Gill, Acting Country Director, ADB Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, It’s an honor to welcome you to the fourth Industrial Revolution workshop, which is taking place virtually. Two years ago, we would not have been able to get all of us together on zoom for example. I still recall our initial discussions at the Raffles Hotel when we talked about IR4.0 almost in the abstract, a phenomenon that is yet to happen. Suffice to say, the world is shifting from analog to digital faster than ever before. A technological revolution that fundamentally alters the way we live, work, and relate to one another. While the digital era has brought society many incredible benefits, we also face many challenges such as growing digital divides, cyber threats, and human rights violations online. Half of humanity – in particular women and girls in developing countries and vulnerable populations – don’t have access to the Internet. For a manufacturing country as Cambodia the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution – with the changes envisaged in terms of automation, robotization, and digitalization – needs to be handled carefully. The 4th Industrial Revolution can certainly yield benefits and positive change in terms of productivity and environmental impact, but could also affect the labor force, notably the weakest sectors of society. The COVID-19 crisis and the related lockdown measures have affected production and social relationships worldwide, and Cambodia makes no exception. The analyses conducted by both ADB and UNIDO have assessed the impact of the pandemic on the economy, and on specific key sectors, such as garment, highlighting how those measures have also spurred digital readiness in the country. The Government is facilitating readiness through specific policy measures, notably through the Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework. This is a promising building block to address the key challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided an opportunity for digital transformation. Fully remote workforces; Digital Business; Virtual conferences; New technologies in manufacturing; Innovation to accelerate the SDGs… and more. How can we ensure that the unfolding technological transformations in Cambodia are leveraged in ways that leave no one behind? Will our society become more equal or less equal? Will we become more, or less, secure and safe? Will our dignity and rights be enhanced or diminished? The answers to these questions depend on our ability to work together across disciplines and actors, across nations and political divides. The impact of the 4th Industrial Revolution at large must be no doubt be harnessed, while at the same time further assessed, and the government’s efforts supported. The UN system is already engaged with the Government on this transition. Drawing on expertise in the UN Country Team, through UNIDO as specialized agency, together with UN entities operating in the country, such as UNDP, FAO, WHO, UNESCO, ILO, UNICEF; and also leveraging UN expertise based outside of Cambodia such as the ITU and the UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries. Last year, the UN Secretary General presented a Roadmap for Digital Cooperation to build a more open, free, diverse and safe digital future for all. A future that will empower individuals and accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. One of the 8 key areas is digital capacity building. One immediate field to be addressed in Cambodia is skills. It is clear that (re-) training a large number of workers will remain essential as we move forward. In this sense, the good examples, success stories and best practices implementing in other countries are a good building block for Cambodia’s MSMEs. It is on this note that I close -- More than ever, technology brings people together. Let us unlock its promise to shape a safer, more sustainable and inclusive world. Thank you.

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Story

25 May 2022

The United Nations is not involved in assisting, organizing or observing the 2022 commune elections

The provision of UN electoral assistance can be on the basis of (i) a decision of the Security Council or General Assembly establishing a mandate for the UN to provide electoral assistance; and/or (ii) a formal written request for electoral assistance from an appropriate national authority. It is then followed by an electoral needs assessment by the Electoral Assistance Division of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA). Approval of the Focal Point for Electoral Assistance Matters (Under-Secretary General of DPPA) is then needed before the UN System provides or makes project commitments on electoral assistance. Requests for electoral assistance must be made by the member state to the United Nations. Requests cannot be made by political parties, civil society or other organizations. Given the requirements above, there is currently no provision of UN electoral assistance in Cambodia. OHCHR monitors the human rights situation in Cambodia, and this will continue during the electoral period. The United Nations will also continue to follow closely the developments in the country.

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Story

07 March 2022

Women’S Role in Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development in Cambodia

As a woman working in the field of industry in Cambodia, Ms. Panharith is a supervisor of health, safety, and environment of Wan He Da Manufacturing Company Limited in Cambodia. She has been working in this field for 7 years now. Ms. Panharith participated in a TEST Project training series organized jointly by UNIDO and the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MISTI) named “Low Carbon Development for Productivity and Climate Change Mitigation Through the Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies (TEST) Methodology” project which aim to encourage the factories in Cambodia to use the environmentally sound technologies to enhance their productions and at the same time reduce the carbon emission to the environment. Before joining the TEST Project, she observed that the factory she is working for had faced several issues such as high energy and water consumption and a medium level of efficiency in terms of material and waste management. As a result, the factory had had a high cost in the production line and more or less affected the environment. When the factory joined the “Low Carbon Development for Productivity and Climate Change Mitigation through the Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technology (TEST) Methodology” in 2019, one of the key projects under the framework of Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) of UNIDO, to which she was assigned as the factory focal point to obtain the technical supports and capacity building from UNIDO Team and MISTI on TEST Methodology and Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production (RECP) assessment, to build the TEST Team at the factory, to implement the finding measures, and to obtain training on Environmental Management System (EMS) and Environmental Management Accounting (EMA); since then, she has supported and improved the Environmental Roadmap for better performance of factory production. “After gaining the knowledge from the number of training and assessments in the TEST Project, my team and I could improve our environmental performance by meeting the client requirements for instance improving the HIGG Score from 37% in 2018 to 60% in 2021”, Ms. Panharith added. Furthermore, as a measure implementer, Ms. Panharith has contributed to the improvement of environmental performance through the adoption of green or conserved practices by changing the users' behavior including using the Air-Conditioning at 25 °C instead of 18 or 20 °C, practicing good housekeeping on energy and water consumption, as well as properly managing and recycling waste. She also implemented green and efficient technology such as using LED instead of fluorescent lamps, properly maintaining the boiler, preventing air leakage, using an efficient driving system for the compressor, and also considering investing in Solar PV at the factory. “As a woman working in the field of environment, many tasks require my substantial contribution in terms of paperwork such as collecting, analyzing, reporting, and presenting data, as well as coordinating and managing work with the technical team in implementing the action plans or RECP measures. When I worked on the tasks, I sometimes experienced challenges on the technical parts like lacking skills and knowledge or facing dilemma in selecting the correct countermeasure on those issues”, she reported to the interviewer. To deal with the above challenges, Ms. Panharith and her team conducted team discussions, technical consultations, or improved staff’s competence and skills via capacity building programme. Addressing the challenges also helps the factory achieve its green goal since Wan He Da Factory is preparing for a higher standard of work. Importantly, she added, “occasionally, I can find innovative ways to implement those green measures”. “In brief, with my dedicated involvement in this factory and project, I can see that the factory’s business is growing gradually. The customers overseas namely the EU and US, just to name a few, are satisfied with our performance due to the increase in product ordering despite the COVID-19 outbreak; with this, it is contributing to the creation of more jobs for local workers”, she shared during the interview. Lastly, she signified her views that environmental protection is the responsibility of every individual without gender discrimination. As she said, “based on my experience, I think environmental work is very suitable for not just men but also women, and it contributes to personal, institutional, and community development. In the present and the future, green skills are important and relevant in supporting the manufacturing sectors in Cambodia”. Happy International Women’s Day!

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Story

03 March 2022

How Cash-Based Transfers help one family overcome multiple shocks

Sophal and his wife, Sophorn, run a small noodle-making business from their home, which sits next to the river and bore the brunt of the floods. “We couldn’t make noodles or travel anywhere to earn an income. It worried us so much, we didn’t know what to do to feed our young children, or if they were sick.” Sophal, a father of four living in Pursat province, is remembering his experience during the flash floods that affected nearly 800,000 Cambodians in October 2020. Like the ongoing pandemic, these floods disproportionately affected poorer people, and for families like Sophal’s, the two shocks compounded the challenge to his family’s livelihood and health. Sophal’s household income was hit particularly hard. The family usually earn most of their income by selling noodles to weddings and other major festivities in the neighbourhood, which left them acutely vulnerable. “Due to COVID-19, big events such as weddings and big ceremonies were not allowed to be celebrated. The number of orders dropped rapidly," Sophal recalls, estimating that they lost two-thirds of their income. When the heavy rains came, the river water level reached up to his knee inside the house for one whole month and they couldn't make noodles any longer or earn any income at all. The couple had to shut down their business and feeding the four children became a daily struggle. Sophal turned to fishing, but barely caught enough to keep the family fed. The floods in the house made the couple constantly fearful that one of the children might catch malaria, or other water-borne diseases, knowing they would then struggle to pay for them to travel for medical treatment. It was for vulnerable families like Sophal’s that the Royal Government of Cambodia provided support to vulnerable people affected by the pandemic through its COVID-19 cash transfer from early 2020. After the floods, the World Food Programme (WFP) also started providing supplementary cash transfers to 40,000 families affected by both the pandemic and floods, aware that they had been plunged into economic and food insecurity. This programme was supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), which committed US$ 6 million. The intention was to compensate for losses, help families meet their minimum nutrition needs and mitigate the impact of further shocks – which are unfortunately likely for the millions living in Cambodia's flood-prone zones. “I first heard about the cash-based transfer programme through our village chief. I felt happy because it came when I needed it most," remembers Sophal. “Without this cash, I would have had to go into debt to my relatives and neighbours to feed our family, we would have had no choice.” Instead, the couple used the money not only to buy food, but also to re-establish the family business, and make it more resilient for the future. This included fixing their motorbike, which had fallen into disrepair. Without the motorbike, re-establishing the business was impossible, but once it was repaired, they were able to sell noodles and feed the family more adequately. Sophal and Sophorn are now more hopeful about the future than in a long time. Their business is operational again, and Cambodia's progress in vaccinating its population means that, they hope, weddings and other events will be possible, giving the family an income opportunity again. “In the future, we hope for nothing more than a proper home to raise our children.”

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Story

03 March 2022

Female teacher’s journey in promoting renewable energy-related research and development

“We often heard that sciences and technologies are for men, not only in the industry but also in education and research. I think it is a biased perspective. I have overcome this social mindset and achieved my goal. I want to encourage other women to believe in themselves, chase their dream and inspire other women through showcasing more female role models in the fields.” Pisey is one of the few women from the rural south to go beyond the barrier of social and cultural norms on women in science to pursue her education and career in science and technology with a full scholarship for her undergraduate and graduate degrees. After graduating, she has been involved in and contributed to various science related works, including education though teaching undergraduate students on science subjects and related research activities, climate change, and sustainable development. She is currently an official in the Scientific Research Department, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. Pisey has grown her keen interest in renewable energy technologies during her school year related to waste management through utilization of bio-digester and continues to involve in various training and workshops. “I was so impressed when I first learnt about the great potential benefit of biogas used as a source of renewable energy and contributed to all dimensions of sustainable development, including protecting the environment, improving livelihoods and increasing profitability for the farm owner, and generating socio-economic benefits for society,” she said. Since then, she has continued to be actively involved with UN supported training programs on commercial biogas technologies and proactively put that knowledge into practice. She successfully led various environment and development related projects, including biodigester demonstration project for farmers, engagement of students and academia in climate change-related research, and knowledge-sharing workshop on climate change for university students; and she keeps promoting biogas technologies through disseminating information to her students and community and through R&D works. Pisey has always committed and seized the opportunities to pursue her goal and give back to society. Along the way of her journey, there are challenges and obstacles that interrupt her from going after the field she likes. She kept hearing the question: “why do you want to study and work in science and technology-related fields” “the science is not suitable for women,” etc. However, those stereotypes are overcome by trusting in herself, focusing on what she wants, doing her best and showcasing through her work and results. Pisey is one of the few women working in the education sector and R&D related to science and technology. She has always encouraged and wished to see more women participate in the world of science and play an active role in sustainable society and development. “I think now there are more people and women interested in science as there are broad information and easier ways to communicate, unlike around ten years ago, and the adversity situation also has an upside.” “I want women to believe in herself, stand strong for what she wants, play leader role, and be a role model for other young girls and ladies in her community; society has to acknowledge and is willing to hone the essential role of women in education, especially for her children and her own family; and we at all levels, from peers to government and development organizations, to create a more enabling environment for women to spark their interest and chase their dreams in science and technology, such as through providing scholarships, funding for research, and more importantly, social support to relieve household chores so that women could have their times for study, networking and job as men.” Pisey participated in a biogas training series organized by the UN program "Reducing GHG emission through the promotion of commercial biogas plants" The program aims to build national capacity in commercial biogas technology to assist Cambodian agri-business in meeting environmental requirements for waste management and GHG emission reductions while utilizing produced bioenergy for production.

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Story

04 January 2022

Life After Thailand: Stories from migrant women who returned to Cambodia due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Phally [Name has been changed to protect the identity], 41 years old, used to work in Thailand on a construction site before the COVID-19 pandemic forced her to return to her home village in the Siem Reap province in the northwest of Cambodia. Phally's initial days back in Cambodia were filled with self-doubt and worry, as she recounts: "I didn't know how I would be able to make a living, which was making me feel miserable and depressed." More than 265,000 migrants (including more than 116,000 migrant women) returned to Cambodia from Thailand since March 2020 due to the impact of the pandemic. Together with UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO, IOM implemented a joint programme funded by the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund (UN MPTF), which provided reintegration opportunities for migrant women through supporting income-generating activities. The programme was implemented between June and December 2020 in the three provinces in Cambodia, with the highest numbers of returned migrants from Thailand. Thanks to the programme's support, Phally was able to start her own business of selling soybeans and chicken, which she now jointly runs with her daughter earning her a daily income of 40,000 Riel (10 USD). "Making soybean juice was a good idea for my own business as this is a trendy drink in my community." In addition, the soybean business provides valuable waste that can be used to feed the chickens, making Phally's business more sustainable. Phally also makes handmade brooms she sells at a local market to supplement her income. In another village in the Siem Reap province, Sreymom [Name has been changed to protect the identity], 32 years old, described how she and her husband struggled to find work as labour contractors in Thailand once the pandemic-related restrictions started affecting businesses. Upon careful consideration, they decided to return to Cambodia to attend to their young children they had left behind and support Sreymom's elderly parents. “We were away from home for three years, so it was a difficult decision to make, especially as I didn't know how to support my family in Cambodia”, she explained. Once back in Kok Chen village, Sreymom's received support from the UN MPTF programme to start her own business of raising chickens and growing vegetables, putting to good use the plot of land owned by the family. “I was so glad when I got selected to participate in the reintegration program, as I wanted to use the grant to start my small business directly in my house and be able to support my family with an extra income. I plan to stay in Cambodia and focus on my children and their education.” She recounts with pride that she initially had seven hens, and after several months of managing her business, she now owns almost 100 chickens. Her vegetable growing business has also expanded from cultivating cauliflower, morning glory, spinach, and herbs to adding more vegetables such as cucumber and okra. Sreymom looks into the future with optimism: "I am content I can support my parents and my twin sons who are in primary education, without having to migrate abroad."

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Press Release

13 September 2022

WFP AND GOVERNMENT OF CAMBODIA TO LAUNCH BEHAVIOUR CHANGE CAMPAIGN TO IMPROVE NUTRITION AMONG SCHOOLCHILDREN

The nutrition-in-schools campaign was developed jointly by WFP and MoEYS at a workshop attended by UN agencies, civil society organizations, the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Offices of Education from Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Thom and Siem Reap. “Many factors contribute to poor nutrition, and behaviour is one of them. An effective campaign that educates children on the importance of a nutritious and balanced diet can be central to their long-term development and health,” said Claire Conan, WFP Representative and Country Director. “Building on our long-standing engagement in school meal programmes, we are now working with the School Health Department and partners to develop the campaign to encourage increased consumption of fruit, vegetables, and proteins.” In Cambodia, school children suffer from high levels of micronutrient deficiencies, rising overweight and obesity rates and a lingering burden of undernutrition. The rapid proliferation of highly processed foods in recent years has had significant impact on the quality of diet. At the same time, diet diversity remains relatively low. Rice, meat, and fish consumption are high, while fruit, vegetables and consumption of other animal-source protein, like milk or eggs, fall below international guidelines. “This is concerning because despite some progress in reducing the burden of wasting, stunting and underweight in Cambodia, undernutrition remains a persistent problem at the household level,” said H.E. Dr. Chhay Kimsotheavy, Director of MoEYS’ School Health Department. WFP, in collaboration with the Royal Government of Cambodia, has been providing nutritious school meals to primary and pre-primary school children since 1999, helping to improve nutrition outcomes as well as student attendance, concentration and learning. However, as school meals represent only a portion of children’s diets and do not tackle food consumption at home or unhealthy snacking behaviours, there is still an opportunity to use schools as a platform to influence children’s diets more broadly. This campaign will help advance the goals of the 2019 National Policy on School Health, the National Action Plan on School Health, and the Standard Guidelines for School Health Promotion, all of which include strategic priorities aimed at promoting improved dietary and health behaviours for school children and their caregivers. # # # The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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Press Release

17 June 2022

Information Note #17: Civil Society Participation

The United Nations Secretary-General’s Call to Action for Human Rights includes public participation and civic space as one of seven thematic areas for action, stating that “society is stronger and more resilient when women and men can play a meaningful role in political, economic and social life, contributing to policy-making that affects their lives, including by accessing information, engaging in dialogue, expressing dissent and joining together to express their views.” Civic space is key for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It is the marginalized people who are at the greatest risk of being left behind. By ensuring the meaningful participation of civil society, countries can reduce inequality, ensure inclusion, and improve sustainability. In Cambodia, civil society actors cover a wide range of issues, including service delivery in the development and humanitarian fields, promoting good governance, conservation, peace-building, and human rights. They are found in every province of the country, in every sector, and staffed by individuals and volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds. Cambodia’s Constitution, promulgated in 1993, places an emphasis on the role of the individual in public life, enshrining in Article 35, the right “to participate actively in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the nation”. However, the constitutional promise that “suggestions from the people shall be given full consideration” by the authorities are still to be fully implemented. Since 2017, civic space and exercise of fundamental freedoms has been restricted as outlined in successive reports by the United Nations.[1] United Nations Support Since the 1990s, the United Nations has worked hand-in-hand with civil society in Cambodia to promote and protect human rights. It has provided training and capacity building to civil society actors on international human rights standards, worked with civil society partners in investigating allegations of human rights violations and abuses, promoted their participation in public affairs, and supported their advocacy at national and international level. Today, the United Nations in Cambodia continues to empower civil society as human rights defender and accelerator for development, advocating for the expansion and protection of its operating space. The United Nation’s partnership with civil society has allowed it to play a critical role as defender of rights since its inception. The right to freedom of expression: Working closely with the Royal Government of Cambodia, journalists and civil society the United Nations is providing technical assistance, capacity-building and legal support, as well as strengthening networks to promote greater freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom as fundamental human rights and critical pillars of democracy. As part of the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists, a legal support desk has been set up with lawyers with expertise on freedom of expression, providing support and advice on Cambodia’s legislation to over 30 media professionals. Furthermore, following the Plan of Action, more than 300 representatives from the media, the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Information and Ministry of Justice have engaged in a series of dialogues convened by the United Nations to build better understanding of the role of the media in providing information to the public during the pandemic, and foster collaboration between the authorities and journalists to create an enabling environment for freedom of expression and access to information. The right to freedom of association: The United Nations continues to work closely with civil society organizations, including human rights groups, trade unions and others, to build their knowledge and capacities, understand the threats they are facing and to monitor developments with regard to their operating environment. The United Nations has worked closely with civil society to advocate against the shrinking of civic space, including by identifying problematic provisions of legislation that regulates NGOs, associations, and trade unions, and the work that they carry out. In February this year, the UN in Cambodia launched a project aimed at bolstering civic space. The right to freedom of peaceful assembly: The United Nations monitors the exercise of this right, including by monitoring demonstrations and engaging with authorities to ensure that this right is upheld. For many years, the UN has been present at demonstrations in Phnom Penh and elsewhere in the country, assisting authorities in ensuring that they facilitate rather than restrict or hamper the right to protest. This has included liaising with authorities in moments of high tension. The right to participation in public affairs: The United Nations develops the capacity of civil society organizations and creates the space for their participation in policy-making and localizing the SDGs for more informed, effective, sustainable and inclusive decisions, for example, children and youth, women, and indigenous peoples. Each advance in protecting civic space has a positive ripple effect for communities and individuals, and their rights. It is also critical for development, peace, and security more broadly. In the area of youth, the United Nations Youth Advisory Panel (UNYAP) in Cambodia was established in 2007 as an interactive platform for dialogue with young people led by young people, to understand their development priorities and perspectives and ensure the voices of Cambodian young people are heard within the UN system. In 2021, UNYAP with support from UN and partners, was able to successfully mobilize young people through the organization of major events such as International Youth Day, Youth Talk Programmes, Campaign on Promoting Decent Employability for Youth and a media mentoring programme to build capacity on civic engagement. In its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in 2019, the Royal Government voluntarily committed to “ensure a free civic space, allowing human rights defenders and journalists to freely express themselves both offline and online, without fear of harassment or reprisal, and refrain from prosecuting persons for exercising their fundamental rights”. In September 2021, the UN Secretary-General called on Cambodia to “strengthen civic and democratic space, [and] end harassment of political actors and human rights defenders”. The United Nations has worked with the relevant ministries and institutions, including the Cambodia Human Rights Committee, to implement the UPR recommendations and increase dialogue with the civil society. For instance, a consultation of the UPR Mid-term Report was co-organized on 23 March 2022. As Cambodia recently held the Commune Council elections and moves towards national elections in 2023, citizens and civil society organizations, including women’s organizations, need to be able to fully contribute and participate in policy making that affect their lives. The Secretary-General’s Call to Action for Human Rights reiterates that the active engagement of civil society actors is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Cambodia. Despite not having a mandate to get involved in assisting, organizing, or observing the 2022 commune elections, the United Nations closely monitored the human rights situation in during the electoral period[2]. The United Nations stands ready to support the Royal Government of Cambodia in taking steps to improve civic space through legislative reform to strengthen compliance with Cambodia’s international human rights obligations, including the Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organizations and the Law on Trade Unions. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development places human rights at the heart of efforts to promote and drive socioeconomic development with its key principle of leaving no-one behind and empowering people as active agents of sustainable development. The United Nations, as a development partner of Cambodia, will continue to highlight the interdependence of all human rights and to collaborate with the Government to improve civic space and to ensure that Cambodia’s development is shared, inclusive and harnesses the skills and contributions of the society as a whole and the country’s civil society. ### UN Cambodia’s Response to COVID-19 Information Notes are official documents from the United Nations in Cambodia intended for the media and other partners. They are consolidated by the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator on behalf of the UN Country Team. [1] See, for example, Report of the UN Secretary-General to the Human Rights Council, 16 September 2021. [2] https://cambodia.un.org/en/183273-united-nations-not-involved-assisting-organizing-or-observing-2022-commune-elections

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Press Release

24 May 2022

UNODC launches public information campaign to sensitize about the harmful consequences of gender-based violence in Phnom Penh

While the Royal Government of Cambodia has made significant efforts to combat gender-based violence (GBV), remaining challenges need to be addressed, such as the lack of knowledge on victim-centred police responses to GBV against women and other available support services. To help address these key barriers in Cambodia, the United Nations Office on Drug and Crimes (UNODC) Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, with support from the German Federal Foreign Office, is launching a 6-month public information campaign today, aiming both at strengthening community-police relations and informing the public of available services to tackle GBV-related crimes. "UNODC is pleased to contribute to the National Action Plan for Prevention Violence Against Women (NAPVAW) 2019-2023 by means of this public information campaign. We aim to sensitize the harmful consequences of GBV in Phnom Penh and make people aware of the available services to victims. GBV does not only affect the victims, but it also damages the social fabric of the communities," emphasized Mr Esteban Felipe De La Torre, UNODC Regional Coordinator for Southeast Asia. He further added that this campaign is part of a wider advocacy and awareness-raising initiative from a UNODC project that focuses on community policing approaches to reduce cases of GBV in high-risk areas in Phnom Penh. By working closely with the Cambodian National Police, the project also strives to build the capacity of frontline male and female police officers, to enhance existing mechanisms to detect, report and refer to incidences of GBV. With the support from the Municipal Department of Women Affairs and District/Khan Office of Social Affairs and Welfare, six communities in three Districts confronted with significant challenges related to GBV were identified, including Khan Dang Ko, Khan Po Senchey, and Khan Sen Sok. Targeting diverse audiences, especially women between the ages of 15 and 49, this public information campaign against GBV will reach out to the public by disseminating online and printed content. Prominent online influencers from various sectors will also amplify the campaign’s message. With the hashtag #SpeakUpAgainstViolence, the campaign entitled “Help is always available for you”, encourages victims and witnesses to overcome the cultural and social stigma associated with GBV and speak up by building positive sentiment toward seeking support when needed. Lieutenant General Chiv Phally, Director of Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Department, Cambodian National Police, and Ms Sar Sineth, Deputy Secretary-General, Ministry of Women’s Affairs of Cambodia, recognized champions against GBV, spoke at the event and emphasized the importance of reaching out to the most vulnerable communities. During her closing remarks at the launch, Dr Angelika Stauder, First Secretary and Deputy Head of Cooperation, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Phnom Penh, commented that: “The police alone cannot solve violence against women and girls. It is a societal problem which requires a societal response. However, the police do have unique powers and responsibilities to protect victims from further harm, pursue perpetrators and prevent crimes. I hope that this public information campaign launch is an important step in directing victims towards the available police service and safety resources.”

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Press Release

23 May 2022

WFP trains commercial rice mills on rice fortification

Production managers from 15 commercial rice mills are participating in the training, which will use a hands-on approach to demonstrate the blending process, equipment installation and operation, and quality assurance and control. “This training is a step forward in support of the national agenda on food fortification and responds to recommendations from the 2021 Food Systems Dialogue on commercializing fortified foods,” said H.E. Sok Silo, Secretary General of the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development. Food fortification is the addition of important micronutrients to foods, like rice, to enhance its nutritional value safely and cost-effectively. While the fortification of salt, fish sauce, and soy sauce with iodine and/or folate has been practiced for a number of years in Cambodia, rice fortification is still relatively new to the country. In fact, it was with the support of WFP that fortified rice was first introduced in the national school feeding programme. “I believe it is a key step to unlock the nutrition issue in the country, where a majority of the population eats a large portion of rice on a daily basis,” added H.E. Sok Silo, emphasizing that Cambodia falls amongst the countries with the highest levels of rice consumption in the region. Though the regular white rice that is commonly consumed in Cambodia is a good source of energy, it lacks critical micronutrients like vitamin A, iron, and calcium that are prevalent in other foods like fruits and vegetables. As a result, many Cambodians are affected by micronutrient deficiencies, which can impact health, productivity, and learning capacity. A study on the economic consequences of malnutrition in Cambodia found that the cost related to malnutrition ranges between 250 and 400 million USD annually, of which over 134 million USD islost to micronutrient deficiencies alone. “The addition of vitamins or minerals to rice safely improves its nutritional quality and can be an effective way to fight micronutrient deficiencies among the poor without a need to change their food habits and taste,” said H.E. Mam Borath, Director of Nutrition Improvement Department of the Ministry of Planning, quoting a 2017 study by WFP that one fifth of Cambodian households cannot afford the least expensive adequate nutritious diet. Since 2010, WFP has been a leading partner to the government on rice fortification. Early acceptability studies showed that fortified rice was well-liked by teachers, parents, and school children around the country. Later, a randomized control trial with over 9,000 school children confirmed the positive impacts of fortified rice in improving the health and cognitive performance of children in rural districts. As a result, the government approved the use of fortified rice in the school meal programme in 2016. Three years later, WFP and Green Trade carried out the first in-country blending of fortified rice, which proved successful and paved the way for the current work supporting national rice millers to take on the blending process. “We congratulate the government for its partnership and support of this innovation. We are now at a stage in which we can scale up and ensure sustainable supplies of fortified rice in the country. We also thank USDA and DSM for their generous contributions, which have made this possible,” said Claire Conan, WFP Representative and Country Director. “By leveraging the use of fortified rice, we can ensure that nutritious foods can be afforded by everyone, particularly the poor and vulnerable, and help overcome malnutrition across the country, especially amongst women, children and lactating mothers.”

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Press Release

28 April 2022

Cambodia receives funding from the Elsie Initiative Fund to identify barriers to the deployment of uniformed women to United Nations peace operations

Committed to advancing gender equality, Cambodia plans to increase its deployment of military women to United Nations peacekeeping to 20 per cent by 2024. This project marks a crucial step in translating this commitment into concrete actions. Through a comprehensive assessment, the project will identify specific barriers to, and opportunities for the meaningful participation of women in the RCAF. Results and recommendations from the project will also inform policy formulation and guide institutional reforms to address the barriers identified and promote women’s full and meaningful participation. “From once a host nation of UNTAC, Cambodia has transformed into an active troop contributing country in United Nations Peacekeeping missions in Africa, Middle East, and Europe. Since 2006, Cambodia has deployed 8302 peacekeepers including 580 women to UN missions in 9 countries. Amongst the priority sectors, the Royal Cambodian Government promotes women's roles in leadership, peace and security,” said His Excellency Sokhonn Prak, Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Affairs and International Cooperation. “Cambodia is committed to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, which is a major part in our effort in global peace and security and promotion of women's participation in political, economical and social lives in post-conflict society," he said. Adopting a whole-of-institution approach, the RCAF will establish a cross-department working group to ensure successful implementation and national ownership of project outcomes. The working group will comprise members from the National Center for Peacekeeping Forces (NPMEC), the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ministry of Women’s Affair, and other key government partners. Upon completion of the project, the working group will ensure that the recommendations are then incorporated into the policies, national action plans, and programs of the key government departments. In close partnership with the NPMEC and RCAF, the project will be managed by UN Women Cambodia – a long-standing partner supporting the Cambodian government in empowering women and advancing gender equality. UN Women Cambodia will oversee the project implementation, including the selection of an independent research institution to conduct the assessment, utilizing the Measuring Opportunities for Women in Peace Operations (MOWIP) methodology developed by DCAF - the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance. Sarah Knibbs, Officer-in-Charge of the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, said the project is a major landmark in supporting Cambodia’s effort to increase women’s meaningful participation in United Nations peace operations, a concrete example of multilateralism in action. “It demonstrates Cambodia’s leadership to translate its commitment into the first concrete step to realizing this goal. This also coincides with Cambodia’s role and priority as the Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year, focusing on advancing the women, peace and security agenda in ASEAN. I believe it will also have a positive spill-over impact in the ASEAN region and hopefully inspire the other ASEAN Member States,” she added. Leading by example, Cambodia is the 2nd highest contributor of women peacekeepers among the ASEAN Member States. With this project, Cambodia aims to go beyond the gender targets set in the United Nation’s Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy 2018-2028 of 11 per cent by 2024. *** About the Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF) Established by the United Nations and Canada in 2019, the EIF is an innovative, multilateral fund that aims to accelerate progress towards the United Nation’s gender targets in line with Security Council resolutions and the United Nations Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy 2018-2028. Funded by contributions from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom, the EIF supports the sustainable deployment and meaningful participation of uniformed women peacekeepers by providing financial assistance and incentives. For more information on the EIF, please visit https://elsiefund.org/ and follow @ElsieFund on Twitter. Media contacts: Elsie Initiative Fund: Shuyu Luo shuyu.luo@unwomen.org UN Women: Montira Narkvichien montira.narkvichien@unwomen.org; Yoomi Jun yoomi.jun@unwomen.org

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