For International Women’s Day on Friday, Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk has complimented the topic, “Women and Girls in the Digital Revolution,” emphasising the need of utilising the advancements in digital technology, communication, and information.

“On this International Women’s Day, I would like to express my appreciation for the theme ‘Women and Girls in the Digital Revolution,’ which is very important and in line with the evolving situation in the world and Cambodia,” she said.

“I have noted that a significant digital revolution for Cambodia is necessary to make the most of the advances in information, communication and digital technology,” she said.

The Queen Mother said in a letter yesterday that it is about increasing productivity, competitiveness and economic efficiency. As well as promoting national economic growth and building a modern society with highly educated and skilled citizens who can benefit from the use of digital services, adhering to a patriotic conscience, national identity and culture.

The digital technology is playing an increasingly important role in facilitating communication and connection between countries, society, and people, as well as increasing productivity and promoting economic diversification and job creation aimed at promoting economic and social progress, along with national and global growth, she said.

Cambodia has been reaping the benefits of development in all areas thanks to the implementation of former Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Win-Win policy, which put an end to the prolonged war, she said.

The Queen Mother also praised Bun Rany, President of the Cambodian Red Cross for leading humanitarian programmes and activities in the health sector that have actively contributed to reducing the vulnerability of the people in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

With the global trend of Industrial Revolution 4.0 combined with the COVID-19 pandemic, countries around the world, including Cambodia, are accelerating economic and social development by embracing and using digital technology as an opportunity to drive new sources of growth to achieve the vision of turning Cambodia into a high middle income country by 2030 and a high income country by 2050, she said.

This requires Cambodia to be ready to respond to this rapid development, in which the people need to have digital knowledge to become digital citizens.

The new government has been working to develop the necessary policies and measures to train and build human capital in the digital sector, especially women and girls, to embrace digital technology skills to meet the needs of the labour market and society.

The Queen Mother expressed her appreciation to the Cambodian Government under the wise leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet and the leaders of all ministries and institutions who have worked hard to fulfill their duties.

The government has set out the Pentagonal Strategy-Phase 1 for job growth, equity, efficiency and sustainability, focusing on five key priorities; human resource, roads, water, electricity, and especially digital technology in response to the industrial revolution 4.0 and the digital transformation of the Cambodian economy and society, she said.

The Queen Mother supported the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the National Committee for the Promotion of Social Morality, Cambodian Women and Family Values, and the Cambodian National Council for Women, which has been striving to carry out its duties for women and girls.

They protect the rights and interests of women by recognising, valuing and treating them as important partners in the development of the family and society, as well as promoting the development of women’s capacity.

The Queen Mother advocates giving them the opportunity to participate with equality and equity in their work across all sectors. She also calls on and encourages the Government and relevant institutions to continue to pay attention to the implementation of their work for the prosperity of the nation.

Hou Nirmita, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, said yesterday that the working group of the Ministry and civil society organisations, discussed two topics to implement and promote the protection of women and girls.

The priorities are to promote the participation of women and girls in the digital revolution and in the digital economy, she said.

“Digital provides new ways for women and girls to enjoy and improve their daily lives, communicate, improve family life and become more active and secure with the development of the digital economy and society in Cambodia,” Nirmita added.