On the morning of March 2, 2026, the Preah Sihanouk Department of Women’s Affairs opened training on guidelines for legal protection of women’s and children’s rights in Cambodia and health-sector service responses. Participants included provincial councillor Prak Chan Sokha, Deputy Governor Mak Samnang, provincial women’s affairs director Sao Kan, and Sar Sineth, director of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs legal protection department.
Mak Samnang said the course focused on key officials involved in addressing violence against women and girls and supporting survivors. Participants included prosecutors, investigating and trial judges, police, lawyers, referral hospitals, health centres, women’s affairs personnel at provincial, city, district and commune levels, commune and village chiefs, and social organisations.
The training explained that first-line support is the most important care that can be offered to survivors. Initial contact may be the only opportunity to provide care and a practical response suited to their needs, and forms the first step in longer-term support and encouragement. If support is not appropriate and timely, survivors may lose trust and not return for health services.
The purpose of listening is to give women an opportunity to speak about what they wish to share with healthcare providers in a private and safe setting. This is important in helping survivors feel better.
Mental health support is important both for survivors of violence and for healthcare providers. All survivors are equally entitled to the same support and services, without discrimination or differential treatment based on ethnicity, religion, social class, disability, age, sexual orientation or other factors.
The deputy governor said the training was important for strengthening legal protection of women’s and children’s rights and health-sector responses, and asked officials from all relevant bodies to listen attentively and apply the lessons effectively.
By Pai Sokhim
