PHNOM PENH: On Monday, 7 March, the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Senior Minister Sun Chanthol, presided over the commemoration ceremony of the 111th Anniversary of International Women's Day (8 March 2022), under the theme: Gender Equality Today for the Sustainability of the Future. The event was held at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, with the direct participation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary of State and President of the Women's Association of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Min Manvi, representatives of the Cambodian Women's Association, representatives of the Ministry of Women's Affairs and female civil servants of the Ministry as well.

The event commemorates the struggle for women's rights and freedoms, and reflects on the progress, achievements, challenges, commitments and positive measures made so far to promote gender equality and empower women, as well as to emphasize the value of access equality between women and men for development in all areas. Part of this effort is also urging all stakeholders to continue implementing specific policy measures, programs and activities to promote gender equality and empower women in the post-pandemic period of economic recovery and living in the 'new normal', as well as building resilience and sustainable development.

In her welcoming remarks, the Secretary of State and President of the Women's Association of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Min Manvi, emphasized the care and value of female civil servants in accordance with the will and commitment of the Royal Government of Cambodia to truly respect human rights and women's values.

Also speaking on the occasion, Senior Minister Sun Chanthol highlighted the important role of women in building and developing the country, and further encouraged women to continue their development through education and training, and to also accept more leadership roles in the field of public works and transportation. He further noted the Ministry of Public Works and Transport's focus on providing for female civil servants — currently there are 62 women in positions of responsibility in the Ministry, and this number will increase to 137 in 2022, reflecting how women are capable of doing the same job as men, however, the Senior Minister added that this figure alone is not enough. The Ministry plans to conduct more training for women so that more women can play a greater role in the public works and transport sectors.

In addition, the Senior Minister highlighted that there were 191 second-year students who took the entrance exam at the Techo Sen Institute of Public Works and Transport, of which 50% were female students. He said that the Ministry leadership had agreed to reduce the scholarship price by 50% for those female students, and also requested the institute to organize training programs for women civil servants, focusing on the promotion of women to become leaders.

The theme of 'Gender Equality Today for the Sustainability of the Future' for this year's International Women's Day aims to promote the implementation of the Royal Government's Gender Equality Policy, which considers women as the backbone of Economic and Social Development and Gender Mainstreaming — a cross-sectoral task to ensure the sustainability of peace and development as set out in the Fourth Rectangular Strategy to increase employment, equity and efficiency in building the foundation to achieve the vision of Cambodia in 2030 and 2050, the National Strategic Development Plan 2019-2023, and the goal of sustainable development in Cambodia 2030.