Background
The Ministry of Women’s Affairs convened a national inception workshop on 21 May 2026 to introduce the project titled “Strengthening Country Systems for Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Cambodia” and to align stakeholders on implementation at national and subnational levels. The project is a five-year initiative (2025–2029) designed to reinforce multisector coordination, survivor-centered services, and data-driven GBV response mechanisms.
Successful GBV prevention and response in Cambodia depends on coordinated governance arrangements that connect the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, subnational authorities, development partners and civil society to deliver protection, referrals and support services. The initiative emphasizes strengthening governance mechanisms, deploying digital innovation for evidence use, and enhancing multisector coordination to improve service delivery and sustainability.
Key Developments
The project was officially launched at Hotel Cambodiana, Phnom Penh, under the high presidency of H.E. Dr. Ing Kantha Phavi, Minister of Women’s Affairs, on 21 May 2026. The Ministry of Women’s Affairs implemented the launch in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as a strategic partner. The inception workshop aimed to introduce project objectives and implementation approaches and to build a common understanding among participating stakeholders.
Institutional Role
The project focuses on strengthening national and subnational systems for GBV prevention and response by improving governance arrangements and coordination among public agencies and partners. Key system-level elements highlighted by the project include survivor-centered service provision, use of digital tools and data to inform responses, and reinforced multisector coordination mechanisms linking protection, health, justice and community services.
Operational Implications
Project activities are structured to support coordinated implementation across government and partner organizations at both national and subnational levels, with an explicit aim of promoting sustainable practices and shared accountability. The ADB’s role as a strategic partner accompanies the Government’s stated commitment to gender equality and to strengthening protection and support systems for women and girls.
