Upstream Technical Advisory to the Cambodia Portfolio

Overview & Synopsis

This report highlights the contribution of upstream technical advisory support to advancing gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) outcomes across the Cambodia portfolio. It outlines support provided for gender tagging in ten World Bank-financed projects since 2022, helping project teams identify gender gaps, design targeted actions, and establish measurable gender-related indicators. The report also presents ongoing technical assistance to active projects in monitoring and reporting gender results. Key achievements are demonstrated across multiple sectors, including water, sanitation, roads, agriculture, health, education, and social accountability initiatives. In the water sector, the introduction of gender-inclusive recruitment practices contributed to increasing female employment beyond project targets. Road projects successfully expanded paid employment opportunities for women, while agriculture interventions significantly enhanced women's participation in agribusiness ownership, financial inclusion, cooperative leadership, skills development, and income generation. These results underscore the effectiveness of sustained technical support, gender-responsive project design, and stakeholder engagement in promoting inclusive development and improving opportunities for women across Cambodia.