Female UN peacekeepers attend an award ceremony for Engineering Company 423 after their mission in Central Africa. The event also included the handover of UN compensation to injured peacekeepers and the launch of the MOWIP report on July 30. NPMEC
A government report released on July 30 highlighted opportunities to increase the participation of females in the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and, afterwards, in UN peacekeeping operations.
The RCAF prepared the Measuring Opportunities for Women in Peace Operations (MOWIP) report for Cambodia with support from the Elsie Initiative Fund, using the MOWIP methodology developed by the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) and Cornell University.
The report includes recommendations to advance gender equality in the armed forces and outlines several crucial suggestions for increasing capacity and providing training support for both male and female personnel.
It emphasised the importance of enhancing skills beyond those required for unit deployment, including pre-deployment technical and practical training.
The report also highlighted the need to address the specific needs of women on assignment, such as the provision of mental health and healthcare assistance.
By 2024, the country aims to dispatch 20 per cent more women to UN peacekeeping missions as part of its commitment to promoting the UNs women, peace and security agenda.
“The report marks a crucial step in translating this commitment into concrete actions. Through a comprehensive assessment, the document identifies specific challenges and opportunities for the meaningful participation of women in the RCAF,” said a July 30 press release posted on the UN Women website.
General Sem Sovanny, director-general of the National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces (NPMEC), emphasised phase one of the government’s Pentagonal Strategy, which prioritises advancing women's empowerment and gender equality in all spheres of life.
“[In the strategy], women in the armed forces are included in all areas of expertise and positions, including demining, explosive ordnance disposal, staff officer and military observer roles and leadership positions up to commanding officers, like those who are currently leading contingents in UN missions in Lebanon and South Sudan.
“All these positive points are valuable lessons that the MOWIP report noted as Cambodia’s successful approach for sharing with other troop-contributing countries,” he was quoted as saying in the press release.
To foster an enabling environment, the research recommends specific actions, such as implementing formal parental leave policies and addressing gender and social norms to combat misconceptions and stigma surrounding the deployment of women in the military.
The research underscores the importance of the RCAF's recruitment activities and the visibility of female trailblazers and role models both within the institution and in broader society.
“The findings and recommendations of the report will guide policy formulation and institutional reforms. These efforts aim to overcome identified challenges and promote the full and meaningful participation of women in the military,” said the press release.
The RCAF pledged to advance cooperation with NPMEC, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and other government partners.
“Together, they will ensure that the recommendations are incorporated into policies, national action plans and programmes across key government departments,” the release stated.
UN Resident Coordinator to Cambodia Jo Scheuer emphasised that the project marks a significant milestone in supporting the Kingdom’s efforts to increase women’s meaningful involvement in UN peacekeeping operations, serving as a tangible example of multilateralism in action.
“The report launched today is a testament to the commitment of the Cambodian government and the armed forces to concretely address women’s participation in peacekeeping operations.
“This is not a theoretical exercise, nor about ticking a box or satisfying an agenda. This is about continuing to build, strengthen and support Cambodian peacekeepers in the field – to make them safer, stronger and more effective,” he said.
UN Women Cambodia pledged to support the country in the project’s next phase, which will include the implementation of the report’s recommendations.
“As Cambodia has started the process to develop its first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, this assessment will be crucial in promoting the meaningful role and participation of women in UN peacekeeping operations.
“Cambodia has been one of the regional leaders in this area. I hope this milestone will inspire other ASEAN member states to also increase women’s participation and leadership in peace and security roles,” said UN Women regional director for Asia and the Pacific Christine Arab.
