On 8 September 2026, national and sub-national stakeholders gathered in Phnom Penh for the 5th ACCESS 2 Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Workstream Coordination Meeting.
Chaired by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA), the meeting provided a platform to review progress under the ACCESS 2 GBV Workstream from January to June 2026.Participants evaluated achievements, identified upcoming priorities for the next 6 months ahead, discussed key challenges and shared key lessons learned. To enhance intersectional coordination, partners also explored deeper collaboration across GBV, Disability Inclusion and Rehabilitation Workstreams.
During the session, Strategic Implementing Partners (SIPs) presented case studies illustrating the impact of legal and psychosocial support services, emphasising the vital role dedicated counselling rooms play in survivor support. Discussion also focused on improving biodata recording, refining case management systems and expanding community engagement in safeguarding efforts.
H.E Nhean Sochetra, General Director of the Directorate of Social Development, Ministry of Women’s Affairs, emphasised that preventing GBV requires the active participation of relevant institutions at both national and sub-national levels, along with development partners. She expressed her gratitude to the Australian Government for its continued support of this vital work to prevent GBV in Cambodia.
Ms Sothearoth Hel, Portfolio Leader, Development Cooperation at the Australian Embassy in Cambodia, expressed her sincere appreciation to MoWA for its continued leadership and strong partnership in advancing efforts to prevent and respond to GBV in Cambodia.
“Australia is proud to stand alongside Cambodia and all partners represented in this room. We value the strong partnership we have built together and look forward to continuing our shared efforts to create a safer, more inclusive, and more equitable society for all,” she said.
The meeting concluded with the endorsement and adoption of the GBV Joint Annual Workplan. Participants also highlighted upcoming milestones, including the launch of the 4th National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women IV, the 3rd ACCESS 2 Steering Committee meeting, and the celebration of the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV Campaign.
