Plan International Cambodia (PIC) has unveiled a three-year strategy aimed at empowering girls. This initiative seeks to provide opportunities for girls to have a voice, especially in the face of challenges such as early marriage and dropping of out school.

The announcement coincided with youth performances organised by PIC in collaboration with a youth group in Phnom Penh ahead of the International Day of the Girl.

The event was held on October 6 with the theme “Together Support Girls in Leadership Roles in the Digital Age”.

“The performance aims to capture the attention of audiences from private institutions, embassies, UN agencies and NGOs, encouraging support for girls in leadership roles in the digital age,” said a PIC October 7 press release.

The strategic plan seeks to empower girls by fostering leadership skills, decision-making abilities and personal growth.

The International Day of the Girl, observed each year on October 11, acknowledges the rights and challenges faced by girls worldwide, with a specific focus on promoting their empowerment.

PIC country director Gwynneth Wong pointed out that girls and young women continue to lack leadership roles in both public and private sectors. Furthermore, inadequate female representation in decision-making processes is a consequence of gender inequality.

“Access to higher education remains a barrier for many girls, and without access to higher education, many young women do not have access to leadership opportunities,” she said.

She further noted that another significant challenge pertained to early marriage, exacerbated by strict social norms, particularly affecting ethnic minority girls who are often pressured to marry as early as 14 or 15 years of age.

“In addition, when their families are poor, they may need to get married to help ease their family’s burden or add more family members to help generate more income. Traditional beliefs that do not value women’s abilities and potential are an invisible barrier to their active participation,” she said.

For this year’s International Day of the Girl, she called upon all stakeholders to promote and create a safe and respectful environment for girls and young women to assume leadership roles through creative and innovative initiatives.

According to the Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey 2021-22 (CDHS 2121-22), 19 per cent of girls and six per cent of boys and young men under the age of 18 were compelled into marriage. Additionally, nearly two per cent of girls under 15 were forced into marriage.

Consultations with sub-national governments and young people in Siem Reap, Stung Treng and Ratanakkiri provinces have identified customs and lack of information as the root causes of early marriages.

PIC will mark the International Day of the Girl this year in Siem Reap, Ratanakkiri and Stung Treng provinces with a range of activities, including girls’ football matches, photo exhibitions, parades and youth dialogues.

“In recent years, PIC has made substantial contributions to empowering girls, helping them acquire the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to pursue their aspirations,” said the release.