24 Jun Advancing Women’s Leadership in Cambodia

17 June 2019 – The Ministry of Women’s Affairs of Cambodia and Wedu Cambodia have celebrated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to Advance Women’s Leadership in Cambodia.

The Ministry of Women’s Affairs’ (MoWA) mandate for gender equality and women’s empowerment and Wedu’s objective to increase its commitment to promoting women’s leadership and empowerment in Cambodia offer great opportunities for cooperation and partnership to support women in Cambodia.

By recognising the potential of capitalising on the respective strengths, competencies, capacities and networks of MoWA and Wedu, both entities have agreed to engage in an innovative partnership that is committed to meaningful, inclusive, gender-responsive and sustainable development.

This partnership derives from acknowledging the increasing commitment to gender equality and women’s socio-economic empowerment and that investing in women and young women is a smart decision with huge returns and the promise of multiplier effects for development and progress.

The MoWA and Wedu nationwide program will respond to the challenges women face in Cambodia, where they remain underrepresented in decision-making positions in the public and the private sectors. The opportunities will include leadership training, mentorship, access to online development tools and resources and women leadership and gender equality awareness campaigns and aim to reach over 1,000 women from 2019 to 2024.

Present at the event were Mr. Mario Ferro, founder of Wedu Global and Board member of Wedu Cambodia and Ms. Phearong Sdeung, Chairwomen of Wedu Cambodia.

“Being a Rising Star since the start of Wedu Global until the existence of Wedu Cambodia, I am proud to share that I have unlocked my potential and pursued my leadership role for Wedu Cambodia as a Chairperson.  My mission is to keep motivating young Cambodian women and empowerment them to be the leader of today and the future,” Phearong Sdeung, Chairperson of Wedu Cambodia.

Wedu initiated its international activities in 2012 and has reached over 1,300 women across Asia. Wedu’s core mission is to nurture the leadership development of women around the world by supporting their unique, lifelong journeys with leadership development programmes, opportunities, and funding for education.

“I receive messages from Rising Stars from all across Asia, thanking us for the impact that Wedu has had on their lives. Some mention that the work and growth of Wedu give them hope for the potential of all women in Asia. I want to make sure that Wedu contributes to creating a world where every woman can nurture her potential and I am excited for the coming years of work with hundreds of talented women in Cambodia,” Mario Ferro, CEO and Co-Founder of Wedu.

In Cambodia, Wedu has several activities and programs in partnership with Development Innovation -USAID and the British Embassy and impacted more than 500 women across the country, with over 100 enrolled in the Global Rising Star programme.