Cooperation Committee of Cambodia (GCAP Cambodia) conducted the Cambodia National People’s Assembly on 3 August 2025. The Assembly was a unifying forum to push forward the agendas of social protection, justice and climate action.

A sub-national workshop on Social Protection was also held during the Assembly in collaboration with Oxfam, SP4All and the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training and the National Social Security Fund.

The workshop brought together 241 participants, including 136 women from indigenous communities, local stakeholders, national and sub-national government and civil society organisations. Discussions centered on advancing the rights and well-being of women workers in Cambodia’s agri-food sector—recognized as the backbone of the nation’s food system but still facing systemic inequality and vulnerability.

Participants emphasized that inclusive social protection policies are critical for building fairer working conditions and resilient livelihoods. The forum also provided a platform for indigenous community representatives to voice specific needs and recommendations, in line with Cambodia’s commitment to the principle of “leave no one behind.”

Key recommendations from indigenous people:

• Access to services: Ensure traditional practitioners are recognised and that indigenous people have adequate conditions to access public services and social protection.
• Recognition & support: Provide legal, strategic and special support packages to indigenous people who protect and restore natural resources and the environment for the national good.
• Representation in decision-making: Include indigenous institutions in social protection working groups and committees at all levels.

Organisers stressed that the outcomes from this workshop will feed into national advocacy efforts to strengthen social protection systems and climate resilience, ensuring that the voices of women and indigenous peoples are central to policy-making.

Glimpses from the event

–