Background
The Ministry of Women’s Affairs organized a two-day training on 27–28 July 2026 to strengthen provincial capacity for monitoring gender-based violence (GBV) services. The workshop took place at the Anik Hotel in Phnom Penh and included 35 participants, of whom 23 were women, representing central departments and Provincial Departments of Women’s Affairs from Kampong Cham, Siem Reap, Ratanakiri and Kampong Speu.
The updated Minimum Standards of Essential Gender-Based Violence Services Monitoring Checklist serves as an operational tool to assess whether service providers meet defined minimum standards of care. The training received financial support from the Australian Embassy in Cambodia through the ACCESS 2 programme and technical support from UN Women.
Scope of Application
The training and updated monitoring checklist apply to public and partner service providers engaged in delivering essential GBV services and to provincial departments responsible for monitoring service delivery. The immediate geographic focus for capacity building was four target provinces: Kampong Cham, Siem Reap, Ratanakiri and Kampong Speu.
Key Provisions or Decisions
The Ministry endorsed the use of the updated monitoring checklist as the practical instrument for assessing implementation against the Minimum Standards of Essential GBV Services. The workshop included senior officials from the Legal Protection Department and provincial counterparts to ensure alignment between central guidance and provincial monitoring practices. The event was presided over by H.E. Hou Samith, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
While the checklist targets public service delivery and non-governmental service providers rather than private investors, it establishes clearer expectations for organizations that fund, partner with, or deliver GBV services. Provincial departments charged with monitoring can use the checklist to standardize reporting and to document service-level compliance with the Ministry’s minimum standards.
Official Source
Ministry of Women’s Affairs Facebook post (27 July 2026): https://www.facebook.com/mowa.gov.kh/posts/pfbid02Ft2HjRCb8DK6cjh6jf2qD5JdJFFycGELMoVTgofJTUNWDmnTBn4gfhzHDGU8WgS6l
