A participant addresses the ‘Towards Inclusive, Gender-Responsive, and Universal Social Security’ workshop on October 8. OXFAM
Oxfam and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) on October 8 organised an annual forum for 140 local leaders and workers’ representatives from five provinces to meet with social security operators and regulators, as well as health service providers.
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The forum – held in Svay Rieng town with the theme “Towards Inclusive, Gender-Responsive, and Universal Social Security in Cambodia” – saw attendees from various provinces including Kampong Cham, Tbong Khmum, Kratie, Prey Veng, and Svay Rieng. They discussed finding common solutions to moving Cambodia towards a more inclusive social protection system.
According to an October 8 press release from Oxfam, the regional forum aimed to allow NSSF officials to expand the knowledge of relevant authorities and workers’ representatives regarding the progress, challenges and plans of the NSSF.
It also seeks to strengthen cooperation and policy dialogue with all stakeholders, to formulate social security policies which are more gender-responsive and inclusive.
“The forum was an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss policies in order to understand the challenges and find solutions. Experts and policy makers and NSSF providers met with local leaders and workers’ representatives,” said the press release.
Oxfam programme director Sok Chan Chhorvy explained in the release that the organisation’s mission is to eradicate poverty and injustice.
She added that Oxfam is committed to working with and supporting the government and relevant partners to reduce poverty and inequality among garment workers, smallholder farmers and workers in the informal economy. This is especially crucial to women and mothers, in order to ensure their ability to access the NSSF.
“Access to the fund is very important for workers and their families because it supports their well-being, and reduces their vulnerability to global disasters or epidemics and enhances their resilience,” she said.
The international organisation held a previous regional forum in Preah Sihanouk province in September, and has scheduled the final event for Phnom Penh in the near future.
