PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Social Affairs Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation has started the ‘Gender Equality’ training course on Tuesday. The two-day training is aimed at helping women in crisis demonstrating the Royal Government’s commitment to gender equality, including the persons with disability.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister, MOSVY Secretary of State, Em Chan Makara says the current training reflects the continued commitment of the ministries, institutions and partner organization to address post-crisis gender equality and the recovery of the Covid-19 epidemic. He has commended the collaborative effort made by the General Secretariat of the Disability Action Council, the Social Welfare Department of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Cambodian organizations that support women in crises, to organize this important training course.
MOSVY Secretary of State Em Chan Makara says, “We are currently facing two of the biggest challenges of our generation: first, the epidemic of Covid-19 and its aftermath, and second, the ongoing climate change crisis. Both of these crises are that women are disproportionately affected. Since the early stages of the Covid-19 epidemic, the Royal Government of Cambodia, under the wise leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen has responded effectively in providing emergency assistance. Order urgent medical equipment and supplies, including rapid test kits, the provision of Covid-19 vaccine, treatment and ensure a public health management system for all people, especially pregnant women and girls with disabilities.”
Em Chan Makara stresses that the burden of unpaid care work falls on the shoulders of women. He has revealed that 59% of women reported spending more time on household chores since the outbreak of Covid-19. He says these women are facing two-thirds of all job losses and has added the most affected are young women who are raising young children.
He has also expressed deep gratitude to the Australian Government through the Australian Embassy in Cambodia, for establishing the Australia-Cambodia Co-operation for Sustainable and Equitable Services program, which implements both gender and disability programs in the country with remarkable success.
Em Chan Makara has emphasized that the Ministry of Social Affairs remains fully committed to helping achieve the ambitious SDG goals, including gender equality, reproductive health issues, women's leadership, and strengthening women's resilience through social protection.
