FiA officials raise awareness on illegal fishing in Tonle Sap Lake recently. Agriculture ministry
The Fisheries Administration (FiA) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has launched the “Policy and Strategic Framework for Gender Equality Promotion and Elimination of Child Labour in the Fisheries Sector (2024–2030)”.
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Supported by the EU through the CAPFISH-Capture Programme, the framework aims to create a more inclusive and equitable fisheries sector in Cambodia.
The newly launched mechanism outlines four core objectives. It seeks to integrate gender equality and child protection into institutional policies, ensure equal participation in decision-making, provide equitable access to resources and technology while safeguarding children and improve accountability through data collection and research. These measures aim to establish a sustainable fisheries sector that prioritises social inclusion and equity, according to a December 13 joint press release.
“This policy and framework represents a comprehensive approach to align with existing FiA policies and legal frameworks, including the ministry’s Gender Mainstreaming Policy and Strategic Framework in the Agriculture Sector (2022-2026),” FiA deputy director-general Suy Serywath was quoted as saying during the opening ceremony.
FiA team lead and deputy director-general Kaing Khim highlighted the collaborative development process.
“It was developed through extensive consultations and integrates inputs from the Technical Working Group on Fisheries (TWGF), sub-technical working groups, FiA cantonments at the provincial level and local authorities from community fisheries,” she said.
The release highlighted that the framework aligns with the country’s broader Pentagonal Strategy-Phase I, which emphasises gender equality as a critical pillar for promoting women’s leadership, protecting the rights of women and children and fostering social protection initiatives to alleviate poverty and drive economic growth.
It noted that the policy underscores the essential role of women in the fisheries sector, particularly in downstream activities like fish processing and sales. Despite their contributions, women’s roles are often undervalued, limiting their access to training, leadership opportunities and economic empowerment.
“Women make up half of the fish value chain and play essential roles in family-based fisheries,” said FAO representative in Cambodia Rebekah Bell.
“Despite [women’s] significant contributions … gender inequalities, including time constraints due to caregiving responsibilities and discrimination, further hinder their participation in economic and social activities,” she added.
The framework is also informed by a Gender and Child Labour Assessment conducted in 2021, which identified key challenges and offered actionable recommendations to guide the 2024–2030 strategic plan. The updated action plan addresses systemic inequalities and advocates for safeguarding children’s rights by eliminating exploitative labour practices in the fisheries sector.
The initiative underscores the country’s commitment to sustainable fisheries management while integrating gender equality and child protection into its socioeconomic development goals. By addressing these challenges, the FiA aims to enhance equity, protect vulnerable populations and ensure the long-term sustainability of the Kingdom’s fisheries sector, according to the release.
