His Excellency Keo Remy presided over Second Consultation with Civil Society
His Excellency Keo Remy presided over Second Consultation with Civil Society
On the morning of Friday, 9 June 2023, His Excellency Keo Remy, Minister Delegate attached to the Prime Minister, and President of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC), presided over Second Consultation with Civil Society on the Follow Up to the “Concluding Observations of the Human Rights Committee on the Third Periodic Report of Cambodia – Gender – in the Implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights” co-organised by the CHRC and the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner in Cambodia, at Sun & Moon Riverside Hotel, Phnom Penh.
The Consultation aims to (1) discuss the action plans of the relevant ministries with regard to the implementation of the concluding observations of the UN Human Rights Committee, especially on gender equality, taking into account the Committee’s previous recommendations on gender-based violence, (2) define the role and discuss the responsibilities of civil society organisations (CSOs), UN agencies and other stakeholders, in supporting the relevant ministries’ action plans, and (3) discuss the next steps related to dissemination and implementation plans, including prioritising thematic recommendations for further discussion and acting together, as well as raising awareness campaigns that may be organised by ministries, CSOs, and UN agencies.
His Excellency Keo Remy stated that gender equality in Cambodia has improved significantly, especially the increase in the number of female students who have graduated from higher education. In addition, he emphasised that the education sector is a key factor in ensuring gender equality and combating violence against women, which may make everyone understand the value of women, who play an important role in promoting gender equality through changing negative mindsets towards women.
Her Excellency Bun Chhit Veasna, Secretary-General of the Cambodian National Council for Women, representing Her Excellency Dr Ing Kantha Phavi, said that the Ministry of Women’s Affairs has done a lot of work on gender mainstreaming, eliminating domestic violence, combating women trafficking and promoting women’s rights.
Ms Roueida El Hage, Representative of the UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner in Cambodia, said that the consultation with civil society and government agencies is a good example, which is encouraged and so important that we together promote and protect human rights. She also took the opportunity to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in which all UN Member States are committed to the promotion and protection of human rights. She added that the OHCHR would be ready to host a high-level event on 11-12 December 2023 in relation to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
During the Consultation, Ms Camilla M. Ottosson, Director of the Swedish Office for Development Cooperation in Phnom Penh, said that gender issues still exist in any country in the world. For these reasons, we must work together to eliminate all forms of gender discrimination and promote gender equality, as well as try to avoid violence against women.
The Consultation was also a forum for exchange of views between government institutions, CSOs and UN agencies, presenting action plans for the implementation of the concluding observations on gender in their respective jurisdictions and areas and some recommendations. This forum also provided an opportunity to highlight the joint efforts of all parties in the direction of ensuring better gender equality in Cambodian society.
