The Council of Ministers will send four draft laws to the National Assembly for approval after recently approving a draft of the 2019-2023 National Action Plan for Prevention of Violence Against Women and a draft of a three-year rolling Public Investment Programme (2021-2023).

According to a press release issued by the Council of Ministers, one of the four draft laws concerns boundary protocols and land marker planting between Cambodia and Vietnam.

Another bill deals with the right to cooperate on domestic flights from any ASEAN country and co-terminal rights between airports in ASEAN member countries.

The third draft law covers implementation protocols of air transport services under the agreement of ASEAN frameworks on services.

The fourth draft law involves a treaty on banning nuclear weapons.

The press release said in the past, the government had laid out two phases of the draft of the 2019-2023 National Action Plan to Prevention of Violence Against Women. The first phase was 2009-2013 and the other was 2014-2018.

However, due to the rapid growth of society, information technology and globalisation, problems persisted.

It said some Cambodian women face physical, mental and economic violence at home, workplaces and communities. The main problem was attributed in general to gender inequality and discrimination.

The press release continued that a new plan was to be prepared as a map for ministries, institutions, stakeholders in the national and sub-national levels, civil society organisations, the private sector and media.

They will continue to carry out work to prevent, stop, respond to and address violence against women more effectively and efficiently. The aim of the draft plan was to reduce all forms of violence against women. It contributes to promoting the value of morality, society, women and Cambodian families aiming at promoting equity, inclusion and social harmony.

Consisting of seven chapters, it also aims to maximise women’s potential to participate in developing the nation.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said at the meeting: “In the context of the Covid-19 crisis, Cambodia still maintains its financial management better than some countries. Obviously, the government still has the ability to release a budget package for paying salaries every two weeks for civil servants across the country.

“[The government] continues the cash handout programme for poor and vulnerable people who have been affected by the Covid-19 disease as well as supports public investment programmes including building infrastructures, roads, canals and small-scale projects in local communities.”