In celebration of International Women’s Day 2025, UN Women and the European Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (EuroCham), hosted a high-level business engagement event in Phnom Penh under the theme “Gender Equality Means Business.” The event was organized as part of the UN Women Gender Action Lab: Innovation and Impact for Gender Equality in the Asia-Pacific, implemented in partnership with the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It brought together Cambodian business leaders to deepen private sector commitments to the WEPs and advance inclusive business practices.
Business leaders emphasized that gender equality is not only a moral imperative but also makes business sense. “Gender equality means providing a fair and level playing field for everyone,” said Emerald Am, Chair of Benelux Cambodia. “It’s not just about doing what’s right—it’s also smart for business.” Thary Vorn, CEO of SUDrain, added, “When women lead organizations, they create real ecosystems of support, helping other women become independent and brave enough to raise their voices.”
Women contribute significantly to Cambodia’s economy, comprising over 84.1 per cent of the workforce and owning 62 per cent of micro-enterprises and 26 per cent of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Yet, many face systemic challenges, including unequal pay, limited access to credit and leadership roles, and a disproportionate burden of unpaid care work.
Twelve CEOs publicly signed the WEPs at the event, making public commitments to create equitable workplaces, implement gender-responsive supply chains, and uphold zero tolerance for harassment. The event also served as a platform to promote the Gender Action Lab in Cambodia—a WEPs-driven initiative to co-create and scale transformative gender equality solutions in business. Implemented initially in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, the Gender Action Lab is envisioned to grow in a long-term, multi-stakeholder and multi-donor platform across Asia and the Pacific, seeking to galvanize efforts for gender-transformative action and impact in the private sector and leveraging its innovation capabilities to advance gender equality, women’s empowerment and sustainable development to build a more inclusive economies in the region.
Through the Gender Action Lab and the WEPs platform, Cambodian companies are positioning themselves to lead by example, recognizing that empowering women strengthens businesses, communities, and the broader economy.
Originally published on UN Women Asia and the Pacific (in English)