The government has increased its focus on the rights of women and girls to choose a partner and have children.
An initiative designed to empower women by creating more opportunities for them in society and politics was recently unveiled by Minister of Planning Chhay Than.
Than, who also heads the Ad Hoc Committee on Population and Development, was speaking on the 34th World Population Day global event – themed “Unleashing the Power of Gender Equality: Raising the Voices of Women and Girls to Demonstrate the Unlimited Possibilities of Our World” – last week.
Participants comprised representatives from various local and international organisations, including the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).
Students from various universities were also in attendance.
“Our focus has primarily been on the rights of women and girls in choosing a partner and having children.
“The government has sought to ease the path for all women to be provided opportunities and to have broader participation in society and politics, as well as to address numerous other issues that women face, such as health, education and abuse,” he said.
Acknowledging the progress of existing population policies in Cambodia on this occasion, UNFPA representative to Cambodia Sandra Bernklau singled out the Cambodia National Population Policy 2016-2030.
She highlighted how the policy places women and families at the heart of the decision-making process.
It acknowledges and supports the rights of individuals and families to make fundamental decisions about the number of children they want and the use of contraception, empowering women and girls with information, education and the means to make such decisions.
“Women and girls have the right to decide when and how many children they want. When they can make these decisions independently, they can organise their lives and reach their full potential.
“Access to family planning services can lead to healthier pregnancies and healthier babies. It also increases the likelihood of women continuing their education for longer periods and securing good jobs, which benefit both the family and society as a whole,” she said.
Bernklau reiterated the collective effort needed to ensure women and families can access the information and resources necessary for informed decisions about their reproductive health and rights.
Ministry secretary of state Poch Bunnak said the government is attentive to the lives and wellbeing of people, especially women and children.
“With government support, the health ministry has made great efforts in keeping newborns alive. “This effort, which began in the 1990s, has continued until 2023, when the life expectancy of people is 75 years,” he said.
