In a significant international recognition, Cambodia’s innovative agricultural project received a prestigious award in Rome for its outstanding contribution to gender equality in rural development. The Tonle Sap Smallholder Development Project – Additional Financing (TSSD-AF), a collaborative effort funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Asian Development Bank, was honored at the IFAD’s annual Governing Council meeting.
This initiative stood out among five recipients for its remarkable impact on empowering rural women in the Tonle Sap basin area. The selection for this accolade involved a thorough examination of the project’s achievements in promoting gender equality.
Ny Kimsan, the project manager, shared insights at the ceremony on how the initiative has significantly enhanced the living conditions of women at the community and village levels, ensuring their improved standing and well-being. During a panel with fellow awardees, Lim Sereyroth, the Gender Advisor for TSSD-AF, discussed the project’s success in establishing rural institutions that bolster both women and men’s participation and influence in their communities.
IFAD’s Country Director, Frew Behabtu, emphasized the organization’s commitment to targeting rural populations with initiatives that rectify imbalances by providing better economic opportunities, decision-making capabilities, and reduced workloads, especially for women. He expressed hope that the recognition of TSSD-AF would inspire similar projects to adopt and expand upon these successful strategies.
The TSSD-AF project has notably advanced the economic empowerment of rural women, enhancing their access to financial resources, with women benefiting from over 70 percent of the funds available through the IFAD-designed Group Revolving Funds. The project also offered training in business and financial management, leadership, climate-smart practices, and disaster risk management and reduction.
Women have risen to leadership positions within the project, constituting nearly 60 percent of all management committee members across 270 communes in seven targeted provinces. Furthermore, the initiative promoted equal employment opportunities and wages for women in infrastructure projects and other sectors. Many women leveraged their experience and skills gained through the project to secure better employment opportunities in various sectors, including non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and government entities.
Highlighting the project’s long-term commitment to including women smallholder farmers and alleviating poverty, Hem Chanthou from the Asian Development Bank underscored the positive outcomes in terms of improved livelihoods, increased social capital, and higher incomes for women involved.
The IFAD Gender Awards ceremony took place at the IFAD Headquarters in Rome, Italy, on February 14, coinciding with the Governing Council’s meeting. The event drew a global audience, including government officials, ministers, development experts, innovators, and small-scale farmers, to explore innovative solutions for enhancing the lives of the rural poor through IFAD’s partnerships.
Source: Khmer Times
