Australia Supporting Women’s Economic Empowerment in Cambodia

Phnom Penh, August 17, 2023 --

Australia is supporting women's economic empowerment in Cambodia as they are central to the Kingdom’s economic development, said the Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh in a news release on Thursday.

Yet women face many challenges and barriers to operate and grow their businesses, the source added.

Recently, it pointed out, Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED) organised a visit to Australia for 14 of Cambodia's leading female entrepreneurs. They met with business owners, senior government officials, and women's association leaders to exchange knowledge and build professional networks.

“I feel grateful because when I came here, it was confirmed that ‘financial inclusion for women is a key mechanism that helps women to better exercise their rights’. It was motivational, and we were clear that we had done the right things and we will continue doing our job without any hesitation,” said Ms. Bonnarath Virak, Co-founder and Programme Manager of Lady Saving Group.

At least 60 percent of micro, small, and medium-sized businesses in Cambodia are owned by womenThis sector has contributed 58 percent of the total national gross domestic product.