A DKT Mekong staff member discusses reproductive health products with a local vendor, as part of efforts to expand access to affordable contraception in Cambodia. Supplied
DKT Mekong will host an event aimed at advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Phnom Penh on October 15.
The forum, titled "Let’s Talk Sexual and Reproductive Health" will bring together healthcare professionals, SRHR advocates and key stakeholders for an open dialogue on contraceptives, family planning and reproductive healthcare, according to an October 8 DKT International press release.
According to the release, the event will feature panel discussions and audience question-and-answer sessions, giving participants the chance to engage with experts in the field. As the primary sponsor, DKT Mekong will use the event to officially introduce itself to the Cambodian market, marking a significant step in the nation’s evolving SRHR landscape.
DKT Mekong regional representative Rodrigo Portugues expressed the organisation’s goals for the event.
“We believe that open, informed conversations about sexual and reproductive health are key to improving access and breaking down stigmas. ‘Let’s Talk Sexual and Reproductive Health’ provides an important platform for healthcare professionals and organisations to come together, share knowledge and collectively contribute to the reproductive healthcare space in Cambodia,” he explained.
The release highlighted that DKT has been a leader in SRHR outreach across Southeast Asia for three decades, particularly in Vietnam, and is now partnering with DKSH and Meet Heng to bring affordable, high-quality reproductive health products to Cambodia.
The event will also showcase how these partnerships will contribute to improving reproductive healthcare and family planning in the country, it said.
Korn Aun, president of Cambodian American Girls Empowering (CAGE) and head of the gynaecological department at Calmette Hospital, along with other healthcare practitioners, will share insights on expanding SRHR services, improving access to contraceptives and the role of civil society organisations in raising awareness, the release added.
It said the discussions will also tackle the cultural challenges around promoting contraceptive use and family planning in Cambodia.
According to the latest Demographic and Health Survey 2021-2022, 9 per cent of Cambodian women aged 15-19 have experienced pregnancy. Additionally, rates of induced abortion are higher in urban areas, reflecting disparities in access to family planning resources. HIV prevention remains a concern, with UNAIDS reporting 1,400 new infections in 2022, highlighting the need for ongoing education and outreach among at-risk populations.
With sensitive issues like these in focus, the forum will encourage candid conversations on how to improve SRHR services and access in Cambodia.
The event aims to foster collaboration among healthcare professionals to help drive the implementation of solutions that will positively impact the country’s health outcomes, according to the press release.
