A Consultative Workshop on Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) was conducted on 7 December 2016 at Women’s Development Centre, Kampong Speu province.  The Consultative Workshop marked the finalization of the pilot project of “WEE through ICT” implemented by Ministry of Women’s Affairs under Indian grant assistance.  The workshop was jointly presided over by H.E. Ms. Ing Kantha Phavi, Minister of Women’s Affairs and Ambassador Naveen Srivastava.

Government of India had provided a grant of US$ 50,000/- to Ministry of Women’s Affairs under Mekong-Ganga Cooperation for implementation of Quick Impact Project (QIP) to enhance the use of ICT in Women’s Development Centres (WDC) at Kampong Speu and Preah Sihanouk provinces.  Under the project, a state of the art ICT based information and resource centers have been established at both WDCs.  Under the project training programmes on capacity building in information and communication technology were conducted and basic trainings on information technology & use of social media were imparted to women entrepreneurs and female-headed households with the aim to increase their income and achieve inclusive pro-poor local economic growth.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister H.E. Ms. Ing Kantha Phavi thanked for the support extended by the Indian Government for women empowerment.  She briefed about Cambodia’s action plan on Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE), one of the priority issues being taken up by her Ministry which includes new strategic orientation to transform national network of 14 provincial WDCs from traditionally providing vocational training only into offering Business Development Services.

On his part Ambassador Naveen Srivastava thanked Minister of Women’s Affairs and her team for their excellent cooperation expressed happiness over successful completion of first QIP project in the area of women’s empowerment. He hoped that such services would contribute to overall prosperity of the households. He called for more such project proposals to support in the future.

On the occasion, trained WDC staff demonstrated how to use internet, find useful information, utilize social networks for expanding business and finding new employment opportunity.