Speaking at the opening of the "Reflection Workshop on the Women's Resilience Capacity Development Program in Climate Change and Green Development" on October 5, 2026, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Women's Affairs H.E. Sivann Botum noted that climate change is becoming an acute socio-economic issue with a strong impact on people's livelihoods, especially women, children, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups, due to social conditions, caregiving responsibilities, and limited access to resources or information.
To respond to this issue, the Royal Government of Cambodia, through the first phase of the Pentagonal Strategy and the sixth Neary Rattanak Strategic Plan (2024-2028), has identified the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women as a key priority, focusing on key points including strengthening economic and social empowerment, increasing investment in education, health, leadership, and decision-making power in order to capture the "gender dividend" and reduce gender-based violence.
Shifting women from victims to leaders, under the sixth strategy of the sixth Neary Rattanak Plan, the ministry sets out a vision that "women are not only victims, but also Agents of Change and leaders of climate action" through their educational roles within families and communities and by transforming social behavior toward green development.
Mainstreaming gender into national policy, urging all relevant institutions and development partners to integrate gender and social inclusion issues into laws, strategic plans, and highly effective climate change response measures. By: Pai Sokhim
