PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation and the Sub-Committee on Social Assistance has organized the third consultation meeting on the draft National Strategic Plan for Social Services in Cambodia 2022-2031 on Tuesday. It is aimed to gather additional input into the preparation of the SPI National Strategic Plan from the Cambodian Social Service Force 2022-2031.

At the opening of the third consultation meeting, the Minister of Social Affairs, Vong Sauth, announced that the Ministry plans to put two social workers or deputy social workers in each commune across Cambodia, as part of the broader effort to improve the national social service force. Over the course of the 10-year plan, the government of Cambodia intends to employ more than 7,000 social service workers at both the national and regional level, including through partnerships with NGOs.

Minister Vong Sauth has emphasized the important role social services play in supporting victims and vulnerable groups through the provision of welfare services that reduce poverty, identify and manage risks, provide protection and connect vulnerable people together with their families. The Minister further elaborated that the Ministry is dedicated to developing a good social service force that will promote justice, reduce discrimination, change dangerous social behaviors, respond to all forms of exploitation, violence, abuse and neglect, and make society more harmonious.

To articulate the inclusive vision of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Minister says that the Social Services Force will comprise of “professionals, sub-professionals, governmental and non-governmental staff who will work together with children, youth, adults, women, the disabled, the elderly, families and all communities to ensure good development and well-being."