Background
On 18 March 2026, Secretary of State Pen Sometha, Chair of the Ministry of Justice’s Gender Committee, and Undersecretary of State Mao Phirun, Deputy Chair of the Gender Committee, led a delegation of the Ministry’s Gender Committee on a mission to Svay Rieng Province. The mission formed part of the Ministry of Justice’s efforts to integrate gender considerations within the justice sector and to respond to the 12 key recommendations of Prime Minister Hun Manet.
Scope of Application
The mission focused on the Svay Rieng Provincial Court of First Instance and the Office of the Prosecutor attached to the same court. Its thematic scope was the handling and procedural arrangements of court cases involving women, as well as awareness of Cambodia’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), including reporting obligations to the CEDAW Committee.
Key Provisions or Decisions
During the mission, the Gender Committee delegation:
- Sought to understand the classification, treatment, and procedural handling of cases involving women at the Court of First Instance and the Prosecutor’s Office in Svay Rieng Province.
- Shared information on the duties of States Parties that have acceded to the CEDAW Convention, with emphasis on Cambodia’s responsibility to prepare and submit reports to the CEDAW Committee.
- Held a discussion meeting with the President of the Svay Rieng Provincial Court of First Instance, the Provincial Prosecutor, deputy judges, deputy prosecutors, registry officials, and other court and prosecutor’s office staff.
- Conducted the visit as part of the implementation of the Prime Minister’s 12 key recommendations, using the findings to provide a basis for preparing Cambodia’s responses and reports to the CEDAW Committee of the United Nations.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
This mission indicates ongoing efforts within the justice sector to align case handling involving women with Cambodia’s international obligations under CEDAW. While it does not introduce new legal instruments or formal procedural changes, it reflects institutional attention to gender-sensitive justice administration and to the preparation of national reports to international treaty bodies. Stakeholders engaging with the justice system may expect continued focus on the treatment of women in court proceedings and on compliance with international gender equality commitments.
Official Source
The information is based on an official communication from the Ministry of Justice of Cambodia published on its Facebook page on 18 March 2026.
