Closing Ceremony of the Five-Part Series of Training Provided to ACCESS’ Implementing Partners Working in the GBV Stream

On 22 July 2022, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA), in collaboration with, The Asia Foundation, and Women Peace Makers, organised the closing ceremony of the training series on ‘Essential Service Packages for Service Providers that Support Women Experiencing Gender-Based Violence (GBV)’. With support from the Australian Government through the Australia-Cambodia Cooperation for Equitable Sustainable Services (ACCESS) Program, the training was provided to ACCESS Implementing Partners (IPs) working in the GBV stream.

The training series covered five essential service packages, with one service covered in each session. The first session was conducted in early 2022, while the final session was held on 22 July 2022.

H.E Hou Samith, the Secretary of State of MoWA, stated in the closing ceremony that the five essential service packages are important to strengthening the capacity of service providers to support and respond to the needs of GBV survivors. The training focused on strengthening of rights, mental health, and safety of the survivors, and learning about intervention procedures, support and referred GBV survivors according to their needs. H.E added, “The participation from IPs contributes to supporting GBV survivors through action plans and implementing activities, to effectively and inclusively strengthen support services to survivors, female with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.”

Mr Sasha Cigljarevic, ACCESS Acting Team Leader, stated that the completion of this training series also marked a satisfying milestone achievement for the ACCESS program, through a handover of the essential services package training tools to the field staff of the Program’s Implementing Partners located across our target provinces. “With improved gender-based violence multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms,” he added, “women, families, and communities will have increased confidence in GBV services, and more women affected by gender-based violence will actively seek help.”

According to one of the participants, the training was critical and demonstrated the mission of empowering women survivors, including women with disabilities, to receive comprehensive services and justice.

To conclude the training, 34 participants, who were representatives of IPs, and of which 26 were female, received certificates from H.E Hou Samith and Mr Sasha Cigljarevic.