(Phnom Penh): In a landmark gesture aimed at supporting women’s empowerment and higher education, Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen has pledged approximately USD 10 million from his and his family’s personal funds to build a dedicated dormitory complex for female students studying in Phnom Penh.
The announcement came during a courtesy meeting with the Cambodian National Council for Women (CNCW), led by Minister Ing Kantha Phavi, held on June 4 at the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) headquarters. During the discussion, Samdech Techo Hun Sen highlighted the pressing challenges faced by female students relocating to the capital—particularly the shortage of affordable and safe accommodation.
While noting that similar efforts had been considered during his tenure as Prime Minister, Samdech Techo acknowledged that the capital had yet to benefit from such a targeted initiative. The new dormitory project is designed to address this gap and offer a lasting contribution to Cambodia’s educational and social infrastructure.
A Visionary Initiative for Women’s Empowerment
The planned dormitory will be built on a two-hectare site in Phnom Penh and is expected to house up to 500 female students. Each room will accommodate four students and include private bathroom and kitchen facilities, with a total of 120 rooms to be constructed. The facility will also include a health post on the ground floor, equipped with examination rooms and office space for medical staff, ensuring students have access to basic healthcare services on-site.
Importantly, the project will be entirely financed through private funds from Samdech Techo and his family, with no use of the national budget. “This is a legacy contribution for the benefit of female students,” Samdech Techo noted, underscoring the personal nature of the initiative.
In a parallel announcement, he revealed that the site of the Bayon Television station in Chroy Changvar would be transferred to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to facilitate the construction. This strategic location is expected to provide both accessibility and security for students.
Management and Implementation
Once completed, the dormitory will be officially handed over to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs. The Ministry will be responsible for managing the facility and selecting eligible students—prioritising those from low-income or rural backgrounds who lack secure housing in Phnom Penh.
Samdech Techo expressed confidence that this initiative would not only ease the financial and logistical burdens on students and their families but also contribute to the broader goal of gender equality and capacity building. “I hope this dormitory will help alleviate the difficulties faced by female students and play a role in promoting their participation in national development,” he stated.
A Model for Inclusive Growth
This initiative reflects a growing recognition of the importance of gender-responsive investments in Cambodia’s education sector. As the country continues to prioritise human capital development, especially among youth and women, targeted projects like this serve as powerful symbols of inclusive progress.
With construction expected to begin shortly, the dormitory will stand as a testament to public-private solidarity and the enduring commitment of Cambodian leaders to invest in the future of women in the country.
The initiative has been warmly welcomed by education advocates, gender equality organisations, and development partners, who view it as a practical and timely contribution to Cambodia’s social development goals.
