Phnom penh: Cambodia has officially launched the “Run for Girls and for Everyone” campaign, a major initiative aimed at advancing gender equality and empowering the nation’s young female leaders. The campaign was inaugurated on Sunday, Oct. 26, by H.E. Ms. Koung Sorita, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, who called for a unified national effort to ensure every girl is empowered.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the event was organised to commemorate the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child under the global theme, ‘Girls’ Leadership for All.’ The run successfully mobilised approximately 1,753 participants, including Mr. Yi Kimthan, Acting Country Director of Plan International Cambodia, which partnered on the initiative.

In her opening remarks, H.E. Koung Sorita emphasised the symbolic nature of the event: ‘May today’s run symbolise our shared spirit of unity in building a Cambodia where every girl can grow up safely, prosper, and fulfill her dreams.’

The “Run for Girls and for
Everyone” campaign is built upon two central objectives designed to create a supportive environment for female empowerment: first, mobilising societal support to galvanise support from families, communities, and the public-with a specific emphasis on engaging men and boys-to guarantee girls have full opportunities to exercise their rights and participate actively in social and economic development; second, empowering a new generation of leaders by strengthening the capacity, knowledge, and leadership of girls, enabling them to become valuable human resources grounded in virtue and ethics, and to contribute meaningfully to their families, communities, and the nation.

The campaign marks a significant step in Cambodia’s commitment to fostering an inclusive society where girls can achieve their full potential and contribute to national progress.