Mock Parliament with Youth

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H.E. Vong Sauth, The Second President of the National Assembly of Cambodia;

H.E. Lork Kheng, President of the Women Parliamentarian Caucus (WPC) and Chair of the Parliamentary Commission on Public Health, Social Work, Veterans, Youth, Rehabilitation, Labor, Vocational Training and Women’s Affairs (the Commission No.8);

Excellencies, Lok Chumteav, Honourable Members of Parliament;

Representatives of UNFPA, UN Women and  UN country team in Cambodia

Representative of women’s civil society organisations;

Future Youth Leaders;

Distinguished guests

Jum Reap Suor,

It is a great honour to represent the United Nations in Cambodia at this Mock Parliament, an initiative that promotes young women’s learning, participation, and leadership in governance, here at the National Assembly. This important effort is made possible through the leadership of Commission No. 8 and the Women Parliamentarian Caucus, in close collaboration with UN Women, UNFPA, and partners, with support from the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. 

This gathering reflects a strong and ongoing commitment by the Royal Government of Cambodia and the National Assembly to advance gender equality and increase women’s representation in decision-making.  

Progress has been made over the years. 

Today, Cambodia has three women ministers in government, and both the Auditor General and the Governor of the National Bank are women. Women make up 16 percent of Senators, up from 14.75 percent in 1999, and 13.6 percent of members of the National Assembly.

 These are important gains. But they also remind us that there is still a long way to go, as women remain underrepresented at all levels of governance. This is why initiatives like this are so important.

We are grateful to Commission No. 8 and the Women Parliamentarian Caucus for their leadership and support in helping to build a strong pipeline of future women leaders, equipped with the skills, confidence, and ambition to lead.

This is more than an event- it is an immersive learning experience. Around 80 young people, including 56 young women, from across Cambodia have come together to engage directly with parliamentarians and leaders. That is both exciting and meaningful. It is an investment in Cambodia’s future leadership.

As future leaders, you have the power to shape a more equal, inclusive, and sustainable society. The CEDAW Committee has called on all of us to aim for full equality in decision-making across all sectors, public, private, and community. 

That ambition starts with opportunities like this one.

You may have noticed that more than half of participants here are young women. This reflects a deliberate effort. While we aim for equal representation, we recognize that women currently hold less than 30 percent of positions across governance structures and face multiple barriers to leadership. 

To reach true parity in the future, we must create more space and opportunity for young women today. At the same time, young men are essential partners in advancing equality, and your engagement is equally important.

Over the next two days, you will lead discussions on critical issues: women’s leadership in climate and environmental action, workplace health and safety in factory settings, and ending violence against women. These challenges are central to Cambodia’s development and to the wellbeing of its people. 

As we often say, women hold up half the sky. Ensuring their full participation in leadership, economic life, and development is essential for Cambodia to achieve its ambition of becoming a middle-income country by 2030.

Allow me to share a personal reflection. 

Throughout my career, opportunities like this, spaces to learn, to engage, and to be mentored, have been invaluable. 

So my message to all of you, especially the young women here, is simple: take full advantage of this experience. Speak up. Be curious. Take risks. This is your space to learn, to test your ideas, and to network. 

You are here because you have already demonstrated potential, now build on it.

Let me once again express my sincere thanks to Samdech Sudary,  H.E. Vong Sauth, The Second President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, H.E. Lork Kheng, and all members of Parliament, especially Commission No. 8 and the Women Parliamentarian Caucus, as well as to our civil society partners for your leadership and commitment. 

My appreciation also goes to my UN colleagues-UN Women, UNFPA, WHO, FAO- four agencies in Cambodia that are all led by outstanding women leaders. This is a powerful reflection of the leadership we are working to advance.

Strong partnerships like these are essential to achieving lasting, transformative change. The United Nations remains fully committed to supporting gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in Cambodia.

I wish you all a productive, engaging, and inspiring experience. I look forward to hearing your ideas and the outcomes of your discussions.

 Som or kun!