PHNOM PENH, March 8, 2026 – Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni said women play a crucial role in promoting peace, equality and national development, in a message marking International Women’s Day that also acknowledged displacement linked to the situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
In a Royal Message issued for the 115th International Women’s Day, observed this year under the theme “Peace and Security for Women and Families,” the king said promoting the rights, equality and empowerment of women and girls was essential to sustainable development and inclusive socio-economic growth.
He described women as symbols of resilience, patience, courage and sacrifice, and said they were “the backbone of the national economy.”
The message also referred to the current situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border, saying some Cambodian citizens had been displaced and were staying in safe shelters in several provinces, where women had played an important role in caring for their families under difficult circumstances.
The king thanked Buddhist monks, national institutions, and national and international donors for supporting affected families with food and other essential supplies. He also called for greater support for women and girls in digital technology and education in science, technology, engineering and the arts to help them adapt to changing economic opportunities and the demands of modern society.
