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Gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) is an Australian Government priority. It impacts every sector and level of society. Equality and inclusion are essential to addressing economic barriers in Cambodia and contributing to a resilient economy. This is why we incorporate GEDSI into everything we do.
CAPRED aims to ensure that women, people with disabilities and those from marginalised groups fully take part in, and benefit from, economic development and investments. CAPRED addresses underlying social norms, supports women’s representation as business owners and leaders in the private sector, and promotes GEDSI transformative policies and practices in government policy and the private sector.
In Cambodia, women are over-represented in the informal workforce. Women are more likely than men to be in unpaid or insecure employment, to work in poor conditions and to lack the benefit of social protection schemes. Concentrated rural poverty and the widening urban–rural gap are significant barriers to inclusive growth. People with disabilities have a higher risk of poverty and are almost 20% less likely to be employed. Indigenous Peoples and ethnic minorities are marginalised and vulnerable, with higher rates of landlessness and significantly poorer health and lower rates of literacy.
CAPRED uses an intersectional approach to promote equality and inclusion. We integrate GEDSI into everything we do by considering the different interests, needs, vulnerabilities and challenges of stakeholders and providing equitable opportunities to engage and benefit. CAPRED also implements target activities focusing on representation, prevention of violence against women and marginalised people, the care economy, and transformative enterprise development. GEDSI-transformative engagement in enterprise development offers a significant opportunity to improve the lives of women, people with disability and marginalised people.
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Cambodian women are disproportionately responsible for unpaid care work. Cambodian men do less than 9% of total unpaid care work, the second-lowest rate among 67 countries (International Labour Organization).
Women’s care load is a major constraint to their opportunities in work, business, leadership, education, personal development and leisure.
Recognition of care work is critical to gender equality and wider social and economic benefits. Childcare is an essential infrastructure and is low carbon and gender smart with widespread benefits. The privately owned care business sector in Cambodia is likely to grow rapidly in the coming years, including in elderly care.
CAPRED is contributing to building a strong, inclusive care sector and care economy in partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia and private companies.
Women and other marginalised people are disproportionately affected by climate change, in Cambodia as elsewhere. CAPRED recognises the critical and urgent issue of climate change and its connections with social inclusion. CAPRED seeks to integrate climate resilience into all our approaches and activities and actively pursues opportunities to support climate entrepreneurship in GEDSI-led businesses.
See our latest resources from across the CAPRED program.
View moreOwn a small business and have not applied for a license to operate yet? We have good news for you. Australia recently supported the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation to launch its Digital Public Service Portal for online business license applications. The portal reduces the time and effort required for applications by streamlining processes, and particularly benefits people with disabilities or those living in remote areas. Through the portal, you can request a Prakas to establish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or handicraft businesses and apply for or renew a license to operate such a business. This initiative aims to boost Cambodia's economic growth by helping to formalise the SME, handicraft, and industry sectors, which represent more than 70% of jobs in the country. Australia is committed to supporting Cambodia to create a business-enabling environment that fosters resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth through its CAPRED program. Ready to get started? Access the portal here: https://services.misti.gov.kh/ Check out the video to learn more.
Did you know? An estimated 99.8% of Cambodian businesses are micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and 61% of MSMEs are owned by women. Through its flagship economic development program, the Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED), Australia supported the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI) to develop, launch and disseminate the Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion Mainstreaming Action Plan (GEDSI-MAP) 2023–2028. H.E. Lay Navinn, MISTI Secretary of State and Chairperson of the GEDSI Action Group, underscored the importance of the plan in ensuring opportunities for and participation by not only women but people with disability, ethnic minorities and other marginalised groups.
Australia is pleased to have supported Cambodia to launch a New Digital Public Service Portal during the 1st National Day of Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises 2024. The 27 June event was presided over by Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Dr AUN Pornmoniroth and brought together entrepreneurs and representatives from business associations, ministry institutions and development partners. The portal streamlines the license application process, allowing small and medium-sized enterprises, handicraft and industry owners to apply for or renew licenses online. It was developed by the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation in partnership with Australia through the CAPRED program. This initiative aims to build a more inclusive and transparent business environment to boost Cambodia’s sustainable, inclusive and resilient economic growth. Check out the launch event video to learn more.
Australia Supports Cambodia's Small Businesses wit...
Australia is proud to support Cambodia in fosterin...
Australia and Cambodia Unveil a New Digital Public...
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