Dr Santo Darmosumato, Indonesian Ambassador to​ the Kingdom of Cambodia, paid a courtesy call on Her excellency Ung Kanthaphavy, Minister of Women’s Affairs, as part of an important step towards promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment and reaffirming the joint commitment between the two countries to promote gender mainstreaming policies and address women’s challenges. The meeting was held at the Ministry of Women’s Affairs on March 26, 2025.

The Indonesian Ambassador praised Cambodia’s strong commitment to gender equality and women’s rights, and women’s empowerment.

The Ambassador further highlighted Cambodia’s achievements in boosting the female labor force participation rate (LFPR) to the highest level in the region.

For her part, her excellency Ung Kanthaphavy, Minister of Women’s Affairs, cited cultural norms as a challenge to gender mainstreaming. Society tends to be overprotective of women, which in turn limits opportunities for women.

The two sides agreed that there are many opportunities for cooperation, both through bilateral and regional mechanisms.

This cooperation can be developed through closer ties between the Indonesian Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection and the Cambodian Ministry of Women’s Affairs.

The Indonesian Ambassador also encouraged more Cambodian women to pursue higher education in Indonesia through scholarship programs and stronger cooperation in regional forums such as ASEAN.

By Pheara!