Kep, Cambodia — On the afternoon of 26 May 2026, Don Bosco Kep welcomed Her Excellency Dr Ung Kanthaphawi, Cambodia’s Minister of Women’s Affairs. The visit brought together female students from the technical school and participants in a sewing course organized with the Kep Province’s Women Rights Department.
Dr Ung Kanthaphawi spoke warmly to the young women, many of whom come from distant provinces such as Oddar Meanchey and Ratanakiri. She praised Don Bosco’s commitment to reaching the most remote corners of Cambodia, describing it as “a great value” for the nation. “In the name of the Cambodian people, thanks to Don Bosco for this great support,” she said, underlining the importance of education and opportunity for girls from rural and indigenous communities.
Her visit comes at a time when the Ministry of Women’s Affairs is intensifying efforts to promote gender equality. Under the Neary Rattanak VI Strategy (2026–2030), the government is expanding programmes in leadership, entrepreneurship, and digital skills. Campaigns in provinces such as Ratanakiri and Stung Treng are addressing early marriage and teenage pregnancy, while national initiatives encourage women’s participation in business and politics. Progress is visible: women now make up more than half of Cambodia’s population, with rising representation in parliament and ministerial positions.
Against this backdrop, Don Bosco Kep has become a vital partner in the country’s push for equality. The school hosts around 600 students, half of them female, and provides technical education alongside the Brother Sun Children Programme. The Salesians of Don Bosco and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) have long emphasized the empowerment of girls, offering training in sewing, digital literacy, and leadership. Their mission ensures that young women from disadvantaged backgrounds are not left behind but are given the tools to shape their own futures.
During her address, Dr Ung Kanthaphawi encouraged the students to remain attentive to the “signs of the times” and to work together for a society where men and women share equal responsibility. Her words resonated with the young women gathered, many of whom see education as their path to independence and dignity.
The visit underscored a growing synergy between Cambodia’s national agenda for women’s rights and the grassroots efforts of Don Bosco and the Salesian Family. As the country continues to promote equality, institutions like Don Bosco Kep stand as living examples of how education can transform lives, ensuring that harmony between men and women is not only a vision but a reality in the making.