PHNOM PENH, 22 August 2025 — The Cambodian Ministry of Women’s Affairs will host a two-day national consultation on 25–26 August 2025 to help shape a new regional plan to end violence against women. This effort is part of the development of the next ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (ASEAN RPA EVAW) for 2026–2035.
The meeting will bring Cambodia’s perspectives to the new ASEAN plan, with a strong focus on continued regional cooperation. A key expected outcome is the drafting of a joint chapter on the intersection of violence against women and violence against children, which would be the first of its kind in the region.
The consultation will also serve to gather feedback on the newly drafted ASEAN Guidance Note on Disability Inclusion in Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Policies and Programmes, a key tool to accelerate ASEAN Member States’ efforts to eliminate violence against all women and girls, ensuring that services responding to VAWG fully uphold the rights of women and girls with disabilities. Having a joint consultation will help ensure the next Regional Plan is inclusive of persons with disabilities and grounded in survivor-centered approaches.
Driving the Next Decade of Action
Building on the progress of the ASEAN RPA EVAW (2016–2025), the consultation will assess achievements and identify lessons learned to guide the next phase of action. The new plan aims to be more inclusive and effective, with stronger prevention efforts, improved monitoring, and services that respond to the specific needs of women and children with disabilities.
Over 65 participants are expected to attend, including government officials, civil society organizations, organizations of persons with disabilities, and representatives from the private sector. The consultation will offer a platform for shared reflection and help shape a future where all women and girls in the region can live free from violence.\
The consultation is convened by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Cambodia’s ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC), and the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW). It is supported by UN Women and UNFPA, with financial support from the Australian
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the European Union (EU), through the UN Joint Programme on Gender-Based Violence Prevention in Southeast Asia and the PROTECT Project, respectively.
Quotes for Media
H.E. Hou Samith, Secretary of State, Ministry of Women’s Affairs:
“Cambodia remains committed to a coordinated, evidence-based approach to end violence against women. These consultations will help us identify what works, close remaining gaps, and ensure that no woman or girl is left behind.”
Maria Holtsberg, Deputy Regional Director, UN Women Regional Office for Asia-Pacific:
“By hosting this consultation, Cambodia is making an important contribution to ASEAN’s collective effort to end violence against women. The insights gathered here will shape a stronger regional plan that links violence against women and children and ensures disability inclusion across all Member States.”
Sandra Bernklau, Representative of UNFPA Cambodia:
"In a society where access to gender-based violence services is still limited by fear and stigma, women and girls with disabilities face even more challenges. ASEAN member states have taken an enlightening and decisive step in promoting services responding to VAWG for all women."
Event Details
● Dates: Monday, August 25 and Tuesday, August 26, 2025
● Venue: Sunway Hotel, Phnom Penh
Media contacts:
Diego De La Rosa
Ending Violence against Women Coordination & Communications Specialist
UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
About Ministry of Women’s Affairs Cambodia
The Ministry of Women’s Affairs is the leading national machinery for the promotion of the status of women in Cambodia. It was established to lead, coordinate and facilitate efforts for gender equality and women’s empowerment in our country. It acts as a catalyst and advocate to encourage public institutions, civil society organizations and the private sector to integrate gender equality into their policies and programmes. It is also responsible for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of government policies and programmes aimed at achieving gender equality.
Learn more at https://demo.mowa.gov.kh/ or on social platforms via @mowa.gov.kh.
About UN Women
UN Women exists to advance women’s rights, gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. As the lead UN entity on gender equality, we shift laws, institutions, social behaviours and services to close the gender gap and build an equal world for all women and girls. We keep the rights of women and girls at the centre of global progress–always, everywhere. Because gender equality is not just what we do. It is who we are. Learn more at http://asiapacific.unwomen.org or follow us on social media platforms via @unwomenasia.
About UNFPA
UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, has been a key partner in Cambodia
since 1993. Its mission is to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, every woman and girl is free from violence, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. In Cambodia, the UNFPA collaborates with the Royal Government to accelerate progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the targets of the International Conference on Population and Development.
This partnership focuses on critical areas, including achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health services and information, reducing maternal mortality, and ending all forms of gender-based violence.
Learn more at https://cambodia.unfpa.org/en or follow us on social media platforms via @unfpacambodia.
