Cambodia Launches New Program to Promote Family Values and Gender Equality

Cambodia's Ministry of Women's Affairs has conducted information gathering and consultations in Siem Reap province for the development of a new program titled "Good Parents, Good Children, and Good Families." This initiative aims to enhance understanding of parental roles and responsibilities and promote gender equality in child-rearing. Ms. Seng Phal Davyne, Deputy Director-General of the General Department of Gender Equality and Economic Development, stated that the program will help raise awareness of parents' roles and responsibilities in raising and educating children. It also aims to encourage more active participation of men in family affairs, childcare, and household chores to foster good family relationships and promote gender equality. The information gathering and consultations at the provincial level are intended to collect input from ministries, institutions, and relevant partners to draft a program framework that aligns with the needs and actual situations of the target groups, ensuring its effectiveness and outcomes. The "Good Parents, Good Children, and Good Families" program is a new framework and a roadmap to achieve the goals of the 6th "Naryatana" Women's Development Strategic Plan (2024-2028). It focuses on promoting gender equality, positive parenting, preventing gender-based violence, valuing women, and building a well-being family environment. The program also contributes to the implementation of the government's first phase of the "Pentagon Strategy" by strengthening knowledgeable, moral, disciplined, and highly responsible citizens. Concurrently, Her Excellency Sin Nom, Provincial Council Member and President of the Siem Reap Provincial Committee for Consultation on Women and Children's Affairs, highly commended the Ministry of Women's Affairs for its information gathering and consultations. This provided an opportunity for line departments, agencies, and relevant stakeholders at the local level to offer opinions and practical experiences as input for the comprehensive and effective preparation of the program. The meeting also raised the point that the program should focus on promoting the participation of men and fathers in family affairs and childcare, emphasizing that raising and educating children is not solely the mother's duty but a shared responsibility of both parents to build loving, safe, equitable, and harmonious families. Source: AKP Khmer