From 8 – 11 Apr 2025, in seven of the twelve provinces covered by DFoNPAM—Kampong Chhnang, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Koh Kong, Takeo, Kampong Cham, and Kampong Thom—community forums were organized to engage key populations (KPs), people living with HIV (PLHIV), and relevant stakeholders. These included local authorities, the Department of Women’s Affairs, the Department of Planning, the Provincial AIDS Committee, the Department of Social Affairs, health centers, and NGO partners.
The forums aimed to:
• Share updated information on social protection schemes in Cambodia.
• Raise awareness around issues of stigma, discrimination, and gender-based violence (GBV).
• Foster open discussion between stakeholders and community members on key challenges and barriers to accessing and using social protection cards and associated health services.
Through these dialogues, KPs and PLHIV were empowered to overcome internalized stigma and self-discrimination. One of the major challenges identified in accessing social protection was the lack of necessary documentation. In response, there was a strong call for service providers to offer KP-friendly and inclusive services to ensure that no one is left behind in accessing necessary services.
