Outcome KHM_D_1.1

By 2028, people in Cambodia, especially those at risk of being left behind, benefit from a healthier, gender inclusive, natural environment. (UNSDCF outcome 3 - 2024-2028, SP Outcome 5)

In 2025, Cambodia advanced toward a healthier and more gender-inclusive natural environment through strengthened governance systems, policy frameworks, and institutional capacities that embed gender equality into climate action, environmental management, and disaster risk reduction. Progress during the year focused on establishing the enabling conditions necessary for women, marginalized groups, and climate-vulnerable communities to benefit more equitably from environmental and climate-related policies and investments. Key national institutions—including the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Rural Development, National Committee for Disaster Management, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery, Ministry of Mine and Energy, Ministry of Water Resources And Meteorology —enhanced their capacity to integrate gender analysis, gender-responsive indicators, and inclusive planning approaches into climate, environment, and DRR policies. Technical support provided during the development of Cambodia’s third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), the National Adaptation Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction (NAP-DRR) Operational Plan 2024–2028, and sectoral Gender Mainstreaming Strategic Plans contributed to more inclusive and socially responsive climate frameworks. These processes ensured that the differentiated needs, capacities, and leadership roles of women and marginalized groups are increasingly reflected in national climate and environmental commitments. At sub-national and community levels, gender-responsive planning and decision-making were strengthened through targeted capacity development, dialogue, and the use of sex- and age-disaggregated data. The launch and dissemination of Cambodia’s first Gender and Environment Survey provided critical evidence on gendered climate and environmental vulnerabilities, supporting more informed and inclusive local planning. Sub-national actors committed to applying gender data to improve preparedness, service delivery, and resilience-building in climate- and disaster-prone areas. Women’s leadership and participation in environmental governance were further strengthened in 2025 through national advocacy platforms, leadership development initiatives, and community-based engagement. Women leaders, women-led organizations, youth, persons with disabilities, and women living with HIV increasingly engaged in national and local dialogues on climate change, gender issues, women leadership, national policies and budget planning processes with government authorities, and community decision-makers, enhancing their voice and influence over environmental priorities that directly affect their livelihoods and well-being. These efforts contributed to shifting social norms, increasing public awareness of women’s leadership in climate action, and reinforcing accountability mechanisms at local and national levels. Collectively, these institutional, policy, and capacity-building achievements in 2025 laid critical foundations for more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable environmental outcomes. By strengthening gender-responsive governance and amplifying the participation of those most at risk of being left behind, Cambodia is better positioned to ensure that future climate and environmental actions translate into tangible benefits for women, marginalized groups, and climate-vulnerable communities by 2028.

By 2028, people in Cambodia, especially those at risk of being left behind, benefit from a healthier, gender inclusive, natural environment. (UNSDCF outcome 3 - 2024-2028, SP Outcome 5)

Throughout the reporting period, UN Women continued its impactful efforts in Cambodia, advancing gender equality and fostering climate resilience through a range of strategic initiatives. These efforts have contributed significantly to the integration of gender considerations into climate and disaster risk reduction (DRR) governance, policies, and practices. The following highlights key activities, achievements, and outcomes achieved in the past year: Gender and Environment Survey: In partnership with the National Institute of Statistics (NIS), the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA), and the Ministry of Environment (MoE), the Women Count initiative successfully supported the implementation of the Gender and Environment Survey, engaging 10,000 study participants through a survey. This survey seeks to understand the intersection between gender and environmental issues in Cambodia and will provide crucial data to guide the development of gender-responsive policies. The survey findings, scheduled for release in April 2025, are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping future interventions and policies related to gender and climate change. Development of the Training of Trainers Manual on Women's Transformative Leadership: UN Women developed a draft Training of Trainers (ToT) Manual on Women's Transformative Leadership to strengthen gender mainstreaming across sectors. This manual is designed to empower Ministry of Women's Affairs leaders with the skills necessary to implement gender-responsive policies. Additionally, training sessions for officials from other ministries are scheduled for 2025, ensuring that gender considerations are embedded in the broader policy framework of Cambodia. Consultative Workshop on Gender Mainstreaming in Climate and Disaster Data: A consultative workshop was organized to engage 60 stakeholders from government, civil society, and other sectors on the integration of gender considerations in climate and disaster data. This workshop emphasized the importance of gender-responsive, human rights-based approaches in climate and disaster management. It provided a platform for stakeholders to share insights and deepen their understanding of how gender-sensitive data can inform more inclusive policies and practices. Regional Dialogues on Gender Equality and Climate Action: In October 2024, UN Women supported Cambodian officials in attending regional dialogues that focused on integrating gender, gender-based violence (GBV), and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) into climate policies. These dialogues also highlighted the importance of disaggregated data in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and encouraged the development of gender-inclusive strategies within the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. These dialogues have helped to strengthen Cambodia's commitment to gender-responsive climate action on a regional scale. Workshop on Climate-Smart and Renewable Energy Solutions: 64 participants (77 women) from financial institutions, government agencies and the private sector, gained knowledge on practical solutions on climate smart technologies. They also benefited from networking opportunities, particularly for women entrepreneurs, to help them adopt renewable energy in their business practices. The workshop, organized in close collaboration between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN Women, focused on climate-smart and renewable energy solutions for women-led enterprises. This initiative helps promote sustainable, climate-resilient enterprises led by women in Cambodia. Support for the National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction (NAP-DRR) 2024-2028: With both technical and financial support from UN Women, the government of Cambodia officially launched the National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction (NAP-DRR) 2024-2028. The plan incorporates gender and social inclusion into disaster response and recovery efforts, ensuring the specific needs of women and marginalized groups are effectively addressed. Participatory Photography Project on Climate Change and Natural Disasters: A participatory photography project was launched to engage women from diverse backgrounds in reflecting on climate change and natural disasters. In workshops held throughout the reporting period, women participants analyzed their photos, created narratives, and shared stories of their communities' climate and disaster-related challenges. This project amplified women’s voices and fostered greater awareness of how gender dynamics exacerbate vulnerability to environmental impacts, empowering women to become more active agents of change in their communities. Youth Activism and Climate Action: Linking Lives Project: Through UN Women support, the youth-led movement Breakthrough launched the Linking Lives: Gender and Climate project in October 2024, successfully strengthened young women’s leadership, increased community women’s engagement in climate action, and expanded the role of youth in gender-responsive policy discussions. This initiative engaged both university students and community women in discussions on gender and climate issues. The project included outreach activities and public campaigns, including a successful event in Battambang in December 2024, which reached a wide audience and sparked ongoing conversations about the intersection of gender, climate change, and disaster risk reduction. Empowering Vulnerable Women through Climate-Resilient Livelihoods: Through the collaboration between Banteay Srei (a women's organisation) and UN Women, rural women, women living with HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable groups enhanced their ability to adopt climate-resilient livelihoods, secure sustainable income, and participate in climate adaptation efforts. This was achieved through training on climate-resilient livelihoods, leadership, and business skills. The initiative also included the distribution of sustainable farming resources and the promotion of gender equality through training sessions. Workshops on Gender Mainstreaming in Disaster Risk Reduction A two-day workshop on gender mainstreaming on disaster risk reduction equipped 31 representatives from civil society and government agencies with practical skills in gender analysis, DRR planning, and policy advocacy. The workshop was held in October 2024. Strengthening Gender Analysis and Data Systems: One of the key milestones of the reporting period was the joint effort between the National Institute of Statistics (NIS), MoWA, MoE, and the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) to apply gender-sensitive approaches to climate change and DRR data collection. The Gender and Environment Survey, supported by UN Women’s Women Count programme, is a groundbreaking initiative that is helping to strengthen the role of MoWA as both a data user and producer. This collaboration is enabling more evidence-based decision-making and advancing gender-responsive policies. Alignment with Global Frameworks and Normative Work: During the reporting period, the Royal Government of Cambodia made substantial progress in aligning its efforts with global frameworks, including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Beijing Platform for Action. A multi-stakeholder dialogue on the Gender Action Plan for DRR in Cambodia explored opportunities for localizing the Sendai Gender Action Plan, demonstrating Cambodia’s commitment to incorporating gender-responsive strategies in national policies. Youth Engagement and Awareness Campaigns: The young women’s movement, Breakthrough , has significantly contributed to raising awareness around the intersection of gender, climate change, and disaster risk reduction. Through a well-organized campaign, Breakthrough empowered youth activists to develop key messages and create innovative ways to communicate with marginalized communities, ensuring that their voices are heard in the ongoing dialogue about climate change and gender.