Beginning on August 1, the government has introduced a new allowance to assist female civil servants and women who have equity cards.

This support will be provided during pregnancy and will continue until their children reach the age of 2. This initiative builds on existing policies, offering additional help for women aiming to improve their living conditions.

Srey Sros, a 27-year-old woman, has long postponed having her first child due to her living and working circumstances. But now, after hearing about these new government incentives, her outlook has transformed.

“As a woman and an employee, I have begun planning to have a baby next year,” Srey Sros said.

She added: “I am excited and grateful to hear that the government has announced an increase in allowances for pregnancy and child support up to the age of two”.

While she was working, Srey Sros said: “The increase in benefits has made me realise that having a National Social Security Fund (NSSF) card is even more important, especially for health services”.

“It also made my heart feel warm because all parents, especially new parents like myself, are always concerned about the cost after having a baby. So I believe that increasing this assistance will help reduce my expenses,” she said.

The government has increased support for pregnant women and children under two years old. This new policy includes doubling the allowances for prenatal check-ups, covering the cost of one birth procedure, and providing extra payments for twins.

Additionally, there will be support for postpartum check-ups and vaccinations for infants until they reach the age of two, according to an official announcement.

The cash support initiative for pregnant women and children under two has been put into action through various programmes.

The first is the national social assistance programme, specifically designed for pregnant women and young children.

Next, additional allowances are being provided to female workers who give birth, ensuring they receive extra financial support.

Finally, female civil servants who give birth will benefit from special maternity allowances. Together, these programmes aim to provide comprehensive support for expectant and new mothers.

The government stated in a recent statement: “The increase in this allowance is aimed at enhancing the welfare of mothers and young children. It also targets the issue of malnutrition among children from birth to two years old, and supports both physical and mental growth within the first 1,000 days of life”.

‘Supports livelihoods, health’

Heng Sophannarith, the deputy director of NSSF, spoke to The Post about the cash support programme, explaining that it is an additional benefit for pregnant women who are NSSF members.

He highlighted that women who are part of the NSSF already enjoy benefits such as receiving 70 per cent of their salary for up to three months, an allowance of 400,000 riel ($100) for one child, and free health check-ups throughout their pregnancy until delivery.

And with the rollout of the new policy, female NSSF members will now have added requirements, he said.

They must have regular health check-ups at public health facilities to receive an allowance of 80,000 riel ($20) for each pregnancy check-up, with a cap of four times during the pregnancy.

Sophannarith explained further that after giving birth, female NSSF members can receive additional cash allowances. This involves going for check-ups at state public health facilities up to 10 more times until the child reaches two years of age.

“This condition not only supports women’s livelihoods but also helps them to monitor their health properly during and after pregnancy,” he said.

Detailing the process, he noted: “Pregnant women simply need to visit a public health facility to check their health, and their names will be added to the NSSF”.

“Women must register with the NSSF and provide us with detailed information. The process involves two visits. During the first visit, which takes place during pregnancy, the money will be sent to their bank accounts,” he added.

“The second visit involves filling out a form after giving birth, and then, when they go for a health check, they will receive the additional cash allowances,” he continued.

According to the Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey of 2021-2022, maternal, infant, and child mortality rates have significantly reduced in Cambodia compared to the survey of 2014.

The maternal mortality rate has fallen from 170 to 154 per 100,000 births during the survey year.

A June 2022 report revealed that “estimates of the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) between 2014 to 2021-2022 are 154 per 100,000 births, which means that 0.004 or four out of every 1,000 women are at risk of maternal death”.

The survey found that proper maternal health care during pregnancy and delivery is vital.

It can cut down the risk of health complications and mortality for both mother and child during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period.

Meas Dara, the director of Cha Chhouk Health Centre in Siem Reap’s Angkor Chum district, spoke about the successful outcomes of a collaborative project with World Vision.

He explained that by encouraging women to have regular health check-ups from pregnancy until their children reach the age of two, the community has seen a notable decrease in both maternal and infant mortality rates.

He commended the policy that provides cash support and increases assistance to women, describing it as a vital factor that has positively affected many women.

Specifically, he noted the policy’s role in enhancing both the health of the women and their children.

“Every mother and child who receives this support has the opportunity to enhance their education and make changes that align with what our government wants.

“This assistance is specifically designed to ensure safe pregnancy and diligent postpartum check-ups.

“We also closely monitor the children to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates, as well as childhood illnesses,” he stressed.

Lessening risk of mortality

Dara also expressed hope that through this policy, more women will regularly visit their local health centres, gain proper information about health issues, and learn about child care, breastfeeding, and correct feeding practices.

He believes that within the next six months, parents in the community will possess the necessary knowledge to feed their children properly, thus lessening the risk of morbidity and mortality.

Hou Kreun, the deputy director of Helen Keller International, lauded the policy, saying it contributes to reducing poverty and protecting the lives of women and children.

Having long advocated breastfeeding, he sees the importance of widely disseminating this new policy among parents to ensure they are well-informed and able to make the right decisions regarding having children.

Kreun’s expectations reach further than the current allowances.

“In addition to the budget provided, it would be beneficial to consider providing maternity leave for three to six months for women.

“This will enable working mothers to breastfeed their children from birth to six months, in line with our national principles and the principles of the World Health Organisation,” he said.

Kreun points out that Cambodia has pledged to promote exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months, aiming for 85 per cent by 2023.

Yet, the actual rate might dip below 50 per cent in 2023, a decline that could challenge the government’s commitment if there is a lack of special policy and favourable conditions for women.

“I believe that extending maternity leave to six months will lead to more women exclusively breastfeeding their infants.

“This change will provide the right environment for breastfeeding, as we’ve discovered that many women stop breastfeeding by the third month because they have to return to work,” he stated.

According to UNICEF, breast milk acts as an essential vaccine for babies, offering vital protection against many serious illnesses and assuring they receive the nutrients necessary for good health.

UNICEF’s research finding emphasises the importance of breastfeeding for all, and the vital role played by government policies, the private sector, families, and the public in backing Cambodia’s dedication to successfully implementing exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.

The organisation said: “Facilitating breastfeeding is a feasible measure that could potentially save the lives of over 810,000 children under the age of five worldwide annually, while also preventing an additional 20,000 deaths caused by breast cancer among mothers each year.

“These health benefits are of immense importance and require our support”.

Reflecting on the new policies, Srey Sros, soon to be a mother, voiced her hope that every woman, not just those with an NSSF card, would gain extra special benefits.

She also hopes that the government will enhance its ability to meet the actual needs of all women.

She concluded with a heartfelt statement, “Breastfeeding is the optimal choice for my child’s growth, and I intend to breastfeed until my baby is two. To this end, I believe that the support and convenience provided by those around me, particularly at my workplace, play a crucial role to make my dream come true”.