Phnom Penh, 26 September 2024: The Royal Government of Cambodia, alongside government institutions, the international community, and civil society, has long worked to address gender inequality, impacting thousands of women and children in the country. While progress has been made, challenges remain in ensuring equal opportunities for women in Cambodia. Against this backdrop, Prof. Akiko Yamanaka, Special Advisor to ERIA’s President, Japan’s Former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Special Ambassador for Peacebuilding of Japan, met with H.E. Ing Kantha Phavi, Minister of Women’s Affairs (MOWA) of Cambodia.

During the discussion, H.E. Phavi outlined MOWA’s policy initiatives that have advanced women’s equal participation since Cambodia’s post-conflict recovery. The conversation highlighted the importance of a top-down approach to ensure clear policy direction, aligned with Cambodia’s evolving political landscape. The need to engage women’s voices and raise awareness of women’s leadership roles – both in society and the digital economy – was also emphasised.

Prof. Yamanaka elaborated on the ongoing research collaboration between ERIA and the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) and Women’s Digital Economy (WDE). She expressed her appreciation for H.E. Phavi’s online participation in the ‘Kick-Off Roundtable on WPS and WDE: Understanding Synergies for the Future of ASEAN’ held on 19 June 2024. Prof. Yamanaka provided updates on the initiative and proposed further collaboration to promote a safer environment and foster economic opportunities for women in Cambodia.

H.E. Phavi was joined by Mr The Chhun Hak, Director General of Gender Equality and Economic Development, and Ms Chyy Ratha, Director at the Department of International Cooperation at MOWA. Prof. Yamanaka was accompanied by Ms Lina Maulidina Sabrina, Senior Programme Officer from ERIA, and Mr Ravindra Ngo, Founder of the Asian Network.