In brief
Prime Minister Hun Manet and U.N. Special Representative Najat Maalla M'jid held a meeting in Phnom Penh to evaluate Cambodia’s child protection framework. They highlighted a draft legislation, a cash‑transfer program for pregnant women and young children, and the country’s progress in reducing poverty and violence against children.
In Phnom Penh on Wednesday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet met with the United Nations Secretary‑General’s Special Representative on Violence against Children, Najat Maalla M'jid, to review the nation’s progress on child protection and outline future strategies.
The discussion began with the Prime Minister stressing the government’s firm commitment to preventing violence and protecting minors. He pointed out that the draft child‑protection law is a key component of this effort and highlighted ongoing work to formalise it into national legislation.
Manet also called attention to a cash‑transfer program administered by the National Social Assistance Fund (NSAF). The program provides financial support to pregnant women and children under two years of age, and it has been extended to cover pregnant women and young children living with their mothers in prisons. He described this initiative as part of a broader goal to create a warm, supportive environment for families rather than merely mitigating negative impacts.
UN Endorsement and Social Protection Expansion
For her part, M'jid praised Cambodia’s deep‑seated reforms that place citizens at the centre of national policy. She highlighted the expansion of social protection and security systems, noting that these initiatives have been widely welcomed by the public for their success in reducing poverty, enhancing child welfare, and improving overall public well‑being.
M'jid also commended the government’s progress in implementing the National Action Plan on Prevention and Response to Violence Against Children 2025‑2030, a vital framework for protecting children in the country, according to the press release issued by the prime minister’s spokesperson unit.
Both leaders reaffirmed the country’s determination to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals within the established timeframe. The United Nations’ partnership, support, and contributions were described by Manet as indispensable to Cambodia’s continued progress in child protection.