Cambodia moves to end violence against children

 

Phnom Penh (VNA) – Cambodia has officially become a Pathfinding Country of the Global Partnership to End Violence against Children.

The country announced the information during a symposium on the prevention of violence against children held in Phnom Penh on September 12. The event, sponsored by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), was attended by more than 300 international delegates.

Speaking at the symposium, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Men Sam An affirmed that the government has paid heed to child protection and included the matter in the national action plan and strategy on human resources development.

The official, who is also Minister of National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspection of Cambodia, said in the last two decades, the country has gained achievements in poverty reduction, thereby improving the lives of people, especially vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, the disabled and war veterans.

However, she cited a survey released in 2013 as saying that violence against children remains a thorny issue in Cambodia, as 50 percent of children suffered from physical abuse, 25 percent endured spiritual abuse and 20 percent faced sexual abuse.

The Cambodian government has devised various measures to address the issue, including the Action Plan to Prevent and Respond to Violence Against Children 2017-2021, she noted.

At the event, representatives of the Cambodian government, ministries and international organisations put forward solutions to enhance multilateral cooperation to prevent and put an end to violence against children./.