During her two-day stay in Cambodia, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, accompanied H.E. Dr. Ing Kantha Phavi, the Cambodian Minister of Women’s Affairs, paid a visit to a crisis shelter for women survivors of violence, managed by the Cambodia Women’s Crisis Centre (CWCC) in Phnom Penh.
The shelter receives support from the Australian Government through the Australia Cambodia Cooperation for Equitable Sustainable Services (ACCESS) programme. Violence against women has a profound and devastating impact on its victims, on communities, and society as a whole, as such ending violence against women is a priority for Australia domestically and in our international efforts.
During the visit, Minister Payne announced Australia would continue funding the ACCESS programme for an additional two years with AUD10 million in funding, bringing the total investment to AUD25 million over five years (2018-2023).
Minister Payne also announced Australia’s support for a women’s economic empowerment pilot initiative, targeting women survivors of violence, which will be implemented in partnership with the Cambodian Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA).
The Australian Government will support the mobilisation of an international consultant for the review of the Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence and Protection of Victims, and support for awareness raising activities for Cambodia’s upcoming ‘16 Days of Activism to
Eliminate Gender-Based Violence’ campaign.
To conclude the visit, Minister Payne provided COVID-19 protective equipment and personal care items for the survivors to the Center.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press