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The Royal Government of Cambodia, the Government of Japan and UNICEF launched today the Project for the Prevention of and Response to Violence against Children in Cambodia.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, 22 January 2019: The Royal Government of Cambodia, the Government of Japan and UNICEF launched today the Project for the Prevention of and Response to Violence against Children in Cambodia. This new project aims to accelerate action to end all forms of violence against children in Cambodia. As a result, more than one million vulnerable Cambodian children will be increasingly protected from violence.

Supported by the Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) Grant Aid for a total amount of 2 million US dollars, the Project will enhance the capacity of the Government of Cambodia to fast-track the implementation of the Action Plan to Prevent and Respond to Violence against Children 2017-2021, scale key interventions, test innovation and apply the INSPIRE framework, a set of seven proven strategies for ending violence against children.

In Cambodia, over half of all children experience at least one form of violence before they reach the age of 18. Despite the vast number and severity of protection issues that children face, Cambodia’s child protection system is largely underfunded.

To contribute to the achievement of the SDGs, the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation is leading a national effort to strengthen the child protection system. Establishing a nation-wide coordinated child protection system with a skilled and competent workforce will help children who have experienced violence, exploitation and abuse to receive the care and support they need and will help prevent violence in the future,” said His Excellency Vong Sauth, Minister of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation who attended the signing ceremony.

His Excellency Hidehisa Horinouchi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Cambodia acknowledged that child protection is one of the priority areas for the Government of Japan.

The necessity of child protection is included in the SDGs. The Government of Japan supports various SDGs activities under the leadership of Prime Minister Abe. In Cambodia, with support by UNICEF, the Royal Government of Cambodia has launched the Action Plan to Prevent and Respond to Violence against Children 2017-2021. Focusing on SDGs and this effort of the Royal Government of Cambodia, the Government of Japan provides a grant up to 223 million Japanese Yen, equivalent to 2 million US dollars, to UNICEF to support relevant ministries to implement child protection activities in the Action Plan. I believe this grant is helpful for the healthy development of the minds of many children, and these children will contribute to making the future of Cambodia,” said His Excellency Hidehisa Horinouchi.

This project will further strengthen the capacity of the Royal Government of Cambodia to have a functional and well-coordinated child protection system which can prevent and respond to violence against children more effectively. As a result, more than one million vulnerable children will be increasingly protected from violence through improved institutional and legislative frameworks, quality child protection services and a supportive community environment. Several ministries including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Interior and the Cambodia National Council for Children, as well as the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, will play a critical role in achieving these key results. The successful implementation of the project will make Cambodia a regional leader in the fight to end violence against children,” said Ms. Natascha Paddison, UNICEF’s Officer-in-Charge Representative in Cambodia.