This project profile page contains information about The Kingdom of Cambodia Armed Forces project including project results, impact, and effective practices. This page will be updated annually in line with EIF project reporting requirements.
Data source: United Nations Peace Security Data Hub, a free public library of datasets on peace and security published by the United Nations
| T/PCC | Updates | |||||||||
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||
| Total | % | Total | % | Total | % | Total | % | Total | % | |
| Cambodia | 78 | 10.09% | 101 | 12.80% | 118 | 15.19% | 141 | 17.09% | 126 | 20.42% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experts on Mission | 4 | 50.00% | 3 | 37.50% | 2 | 25.00% | 3 | 37.50% | 5 | 62.50% |
| Staff Officer | 1 | 6.67% | 3 | 16.67% | 4 | 21.05% | 3 | 15.00% | 3 | 15.00% |
| Troops | 73 | 9.73% | 95 | 12.45% | 112 | 14.93% | 135 | 16.94% | 118 | 20.03% |
The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) emerged as a committed contributor to United Nations peacekeeping operations since its first deployment in 2006. From its early role as a host nation under the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) in the 1990s to becoming an active Troop- and Police-Contributing Country (T/PCC), Cambodia has demonstrated sustained dedication to global peace and security. The RCAF has brought unique contributions and capabilities to United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, particularly in demining, engineering, and military police—areas that support both peacekeeping operations and humanitarian and reconstruction efforts. Recognising the value of diverse teams, Cambodia has steadily increased the participation of women in peacekeeping roles—deploying them as deminers, team site leaders, logistics and liaison officers, and deputy commanders. In 2021, Cambodia ranked second in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for women’s participation in United Nations peacekeeping.
At the national level, the Royal Government of Cambodia has taken active steps to advance gender equality within the armed forces. Since 2014, the Ministry of National Defence has strengthened institutional leadership on gender, developed a gender mainstreaming policy and action plan, and supported efforts to increase women’s access to leadership and promotion opportunities. These efforts reflect Cambodia’s ongoing commitment to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda and its goal of increasing women’s meaningful participation in peacekeeping.
The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), through the National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces, Mines and Explosive Remnants of War Clearance (NPMEC), undertook a comprehensive barrier assessment in partnership with UN Women in Cambodia, to better understand the challenges affecting women’s meaningful participation in United Nations Peace Operations. The assessment used the Measuring Opportunities for Women in Peace Operations (MOWIP) methodology, developed by the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), using Partnership Model A in collaboration with Cornell University. The research was conducted by the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPCS) and UN Women Cambodia managed project delivery and coordination in close collaboration with all partners.
The assessment aimed to:
1. Identify the main barriers to women’s meaningful participation within the ten issue areas outlined in the MOWIP methodology;
2. Identify existing good practices within the RCAF that can be leveraged, scaled up, or shared more broadly;
3. Formulate a set of evidence-based recommendations for future activities to increase the participation of RCAF women in United Nations peace operations; and
4. Provide a baseline to measure progress in overcoming barriers to women’s participation.
The findings are now being used to inform future reforms and programming to strengthen gender-responsive recruitment, planning, and deployment within the RCAF.
EIF OUTCOME 1
EXPANDED COUNTRY-KNOWLEDGE OF BARRIERS TO DEPLOYMENT
Surveys
439 surveys administered by the MOWIP enumerator team (249 men and 190 women)
Interviews
11 key decision-maker interviews conducted (8 men and 3 women)
MOWIP
1 MOWIP report launched
EIF OUTCOME 1
EXPANDED COUNTRY-KNOWLEDGE OF BARRIERS TO DEPLOYMENT
Surveys
439 surveys administered by the MOWIP enumerator team (249 men and 190 women)
Interviews
11 key decision-maker interviews conducted (8 men and 3 women)
EIF OUTCOME 1
EXPANDED COUNTRY-KNOWLEDGE OF BARRIERS TO DEPLOYMENT
Surveys
240 surveys administered by the MOWIP enumerator team (214 men and 26 women)
EIF Outcome 1
US$247,736 (including a budget variation of US$19,988)
US$247,736
RCAF
UN Women Cambodia
15 months
6 April 2022
19 May 2022
30 September 2024
28 Months
The project generated a comprehensive, evidence based assessment of the barriers and opportunities affecting the meaningful participation of uniformed women in the RCAF. The findings have provided the Ministry of National Defence and other national stakeholders with detailed data and practical recommendations on institutional, operational, and cultural factors influencing women’s deployment to United Nations peacekeeping. The assessment is also expected to serve as a key reference for policy development, planning, resource allocation, and institutional reform efforts aimed at advancing gender parity in peace operations.
Cambodia does not have a NAP for the Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.
ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on Women, Peace and Security, 2022
Localisation Toolkit and Guidelines for the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on Women, Peace and Security, ASEAN Secretariat, December 2023
