Voices in the Development of Women in Cambodia: Challenges of Inclusive Growth from the Perspective of Oxfam Country Director

Introduction: Whose Voices Are Heard?

In 2026, the "Khmer Women Voices" series published by the Cambodia Investment Review featured remarks by Oxfam Cambodia Country Director Sophoan Phean, prompting a reexamination of women's development issues. Against the backdrop of Cambodia's post-pandemic economic slowdown and intensified external shocks, women's economic participation and social status often become overlooked dimensions in development policies. However, from a global development research perspective, gender equality is not merely a social justice issue but a key indicator of a country's capacity for long-term inclusive growth.

The Gender Gap Behind Economic Growth

Cambodia has maintained relatively high economic growth in recent years, with FDI reaching $5.1 billion in 2025 and exports growing by 17.7%. Yet the IMF downgraded Cambodia's growth forecast to 3% in 2026, with risks in the energy, tourism, and real estate sectors highlighting the fragility of the economic structure. Amid macroeconomic fluctuations, female workers—especially those in informal employment, the textile industry, and agriculture—have borne a disproportionate impact. The World Bank's June call for urgent targeted cash transfers specifically addressed the most vulnerable households under the energy price shock and the Cambodia-Thailand border crisis, with female-headed households often among them.

Oxfam's long-term project experience in Cambodia shows that women still face systemic barriers in land rights, financial inclusion, and access to public services. Despite various reforms pushed by the Cambodian government, women remain underrepresented in decision-making positions, and wage gaps persist. Sophoan Phean's remarks likely focus on how to incorporate women's voices into policymaking—not only as beneficiaries but as drivers of change.

Women's Empowerment from an ESG Perspective

The Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investment framework increasingly requires companies to address gender equality in their supply chains. As a global hub for textiles and manufacturing, Cambodia's labor rights and gender inclusiveness directly affect international buyers' procurement decisions. The EuroCham white paper calls for accelerated reforms in taxation, trade, energy, and digitalization—areas that are also critical bottlenecks for women's entrepreneurship and employment. In terms of the digital divide, women's participation in fintech and online business remains low, while digital financial inclusion has proven to be an effective tool for enhancing women's economic empowerment.

From a governance perspective, Cambodia's financial sector faces pressure, with the Huione Payment protest exposing deficiencies in civil mediation mechanisms. A stronger civil society space, including women-led organizations, is crucial for advancing accountability and transparency. As an international NGO, the country director's voice not only represents the institution's stance but also reflects the global development community's concern over Cambodia's risk of falling into the "middle-income trap"—if half the population cannot fully participate in the economy, the country's long-term growth potential will be constrained.

Global South and Women's Development FinancingIn 2029, Cambodia will face LDC graduation, which means that some preferential financing and trade preferences will be withdrawn. How can the transition period ensure that women's rights are not sacrificed? Development financing must become more gender-responsive. The first phase of the World Bank-approved $150 million Cambodia Connectivity Project aims to promote trade, employment, and growth. However, whether the project design includes support for female small business owners and ensures that infrastructure improvements benefit women is a key dimension for evaluating its long-term effectiveness.

At the same time, climate finance is increasingly emphasizing gender mainstreaming. Cambodia is significantly affected by climate change, and agricultural and water security are directly linked to the livelihoods of rural women. In community-led adaptation projects promoted by organizations like Oxfam, higher female participation often leads to greater sustainability of project outcomes.