The event, titled “Speaking Up, Building Collective Strengths: Ending GBVH in Cambodia’s GFT Sector Through Collaboration, Innovative and Inclusive Solutions,” took place on 10 September 2025.
It brought together government officials, industry representatives, civil society members, brand affiliates, and trade unionists.
The event focused on the critical need to tackle GBVH as both a matter of human rights and a key factor for sustainable development within its crucial fashion export industry. The platform said tackling the issue requires “coordinated action across the public and private sectors”.
Key figures from the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs attended alongside factory leaders and worker representatives.
Discussions focused on policy reforms, survivor-centric solutions, and the influential role of international brands in fostering safer work environments.
Building on previous years’ momentum, this year's platform addressed persistent issues like cultural barriers to reporting harassment, gaps in services for survivors, and calls for unified training methods, stricter legal enforcement, and increased accountability from brands.
Senior officials underscored the collective responsibility in eliminating workplace GBVH to uphold labour rights and improve productivity.
Industry leaders stressed that overcoming gender-safety challenges require a united front among all stakeholders to create empowering work conditions essential for the sector's sustainability.
Women Empowerment Network (WE Network), an extension of the Women Empowerment House effort, was launched during the event.
The network focuses on GBVH prevention and providing support to survivors through community-oriented programmes.
Innovative solutions such as grievance platforms, GBV reporting applications, financial education programmes, and cooperative campaigns were also presented during the event.
These initiatives are led by local non-governmental organisations, unions, and brands.
In addition, a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between GIZ project FABRIC Cambodia and the LABS Initiative to enhance gender equality and safety in the workplace within the garment sector.
The MoU agreement reinforces the commitment to multi-stakeholder partnerships and scaling protective measures for workers.
Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training Permanent Secretary of State Sovann Vannaroth said: “Eliminating gender-based violence and harassment in the workplace is a shared responsibility of all stakeholders, aimed at promoting labour rights and enhancing productivity.”
The platform was a collaborative effort by GIZ-FABRIC Cambodia, the Life and Building Safety Initiative, CARE Cambodia, the Responsible Business Hub Cambodia, and EuroCham’s Garment & Manufacturing Committee.
GIZ Cambodia FABRIC Cambodia project director Hasso Anwer said: “The annual Gender Platform provides a critical space for us to come together and develop approaches for Women Empowerment in the GFT industry and beyond. Addressing GBVH is not the responsibility of one actor alone; it requires an unwavering and shared commitment by all industry stakeholders.”
IDH textile and manufacturing global director and LABS Initiative spokesperson Pramit Chanda remarked: “Addressing complex challenges such as gender-safety requires collective action from all stakeholders – government bodies, industry leaders, civil society, and workers. By working together, we can build safer workplaces that empower workers and contribute to the long-term sustainability and growth of the sector.”
