Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cambodia was one of the fastest growing economies in the world (average 7% of GDP). As the country aspires to graduate as Least Developed Country (LDC) by 2029 and attain upper middle-income status by 2030, strengthening the socio-economic inclusion of women will help ensure an equitable and prosperous future for the country.
According to the 2021 Cambodia Socio-Economic Survey, Cambodia has high labour force participation rates for women (78.9%) and men (88.7%). However, this is largely in the informal sector of the economy, with 88.3% of the workforce in the country estimated to be engaged in the informal economy, of which mostly women (87.6%, ILO 2024)
. For example, while women own about 62% of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
in Cambodia, they only own around 25% of formally registered SMEs
There are also observable differences in
women’s representation in different sectors of the Cambodian economy, particularly when it comes to high-skill and senior management positions
Cambodia has committed to protect and promote human rights and is a party to all core international human rights treaties. This includes the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), as well as international labour standards associated with fundamental principles and rights at work, including the Equal Remuneration Convention and the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention. Cambodia ranked 98th out of 146 countries assessed on measures of gender equality in 2022Global Gender Gap Index. For the East Asia and Pacific region, Cambodia ranked 11th out of 19 countries
There is evidence that discrimination rooted in harmful gender norms is impacting Cambodian women. A study by UNDP Cambodia, “The Gender Wage Gap in Cambodia”, published in 2021, found that there exists a significant disparity between men and women in certain sectors of the economy and types of work. The gender wage gap for equivalent work was estimated to be 19%, a difference which the authors attributed to discrimination against women. Moreover, gender norms place the responsibility of care and domestic tasks on Cambodian women, even if they work. As such, Cambodian women often face the “dual burden” of working for income as well as performing unpaid domestic and care work
Women’s socioeconomic inclusion aligns with the priorities of the Royal Government of Cambodia. For
example, Neary Rattanak VI, MoWA’s five-year strategic plan for promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls, has Women’s Economic Empowerment as one of five core pillars. This includes support for women-owned MSMEs, closing gaps in skills (e.g., digital), and investing in the care economy. As per Neary Rattanak VI, “Women’s Economic Empowerment is a priority to achieve gender equality and women’s rights, which are also enshrined in the Pentagonal Strategy – Phase 1 and in the sectoral policy and program
frameworks.
