PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has stated that there have been too few requests for women to be appointed as governors in the process of appointing a Board of Governors at the provincial, capital and district levels.

Speaking at the Closing Ceremony of the meeting to review the work of the Ministry of Interior in 2022, and set the work direction for 2023, on Thursday, 23 February, Prime Minister Hun Sen stated that the government has given local authorities the opportunity to elect their own Board of Governors, however, he has noticed that the proposals he receives from the sub-national level regarding these elections do not seem to consider gender equality.

"The proposals I receive, I see only men and do not see any women? Sometimes I will push to [appoint one myself],” he said. “Provinces with female governors also refuse to appoint women themselves, I do not know why?”

The Prime Minister ordered to find more ways to appoint women in these roles, and also advised the offices and departments under the Ministry to consider gender-inclusive practices in their institution.