Cambodia

Women survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and women migrant workers continued to indicate trust and confidence in seeking support from the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA). In 2024, MOWA received a total of 118 reported cases via two helpline numbers (093 777 900 & 085 777 900), and in person. . This indicates the increased awareness of the accessibility of services as well as trust of the public to use the service, especially survivors of gender-based violence including women migrant workers. The availability of the Helpline service has been published through different social media including Facebook and YouTube, and through collaboration with the National Committee for Counter Trafficking of the Ministry of Interior and other civil society organizations working on GBV, migration and anti-human trafficking. The increase in GBV calls observed during this reporting period is not interpreted as an increase of cases but reflects an increase in confidence of survivors to break their silence and seek assistance. Contributing significantly to this change is the increase in the capacity of front-line service provider and Helpline operators in applying of human rights-based approach, ensuring safety, empowerment, privacy, and confidentiality as well as provide guidance and procedures for the helpline operators for responding to calls from GBV survivors. Two Helpline operators at MoWA reported that women that received support through the Helpline confirmed they received comprehensive information about available support services, and the staff providing the services were supportive and followed up closely with their cases at all stages. This has contributed to a positive change in women�s lives as the service is available, accessible, and responds quickly to survivors. The Helpline operators also stated that women between 20-30 age group are more confident to seek support services when they faced violence the first time. Through a long-term partnership with the MoWA, UN Women in Cambodia has been providing both technical and financial support to ensure the front-line service providers both at national and sub-national level are well equipped with skills to provide a friendly and qualify services and to make the services heard among the public. For instance, 47 front-line service providers were trained in 2023 on the Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) for Helpline Operators for Survivors of Violence against Women including Women Migrant Workers.This outcome contributed to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 5.2 in illuminating all forms of violence against women and girls and the United Nations Sustainable Cooperation Framework (2024-2028) Outcome 4.3 which align with the fourth strategic objective of MOWA�s five-year strategic plan 2024-2028 which focus on legal protection for women and girls.