Cambodian churches commit to end gender-based violence

Programme Review and Programme Direction

Two key deliberative sessions during the 15th CCA General Assembly are the Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions.

The Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions will both be conducted in three groups relating to the CCA’s programme areas, namely, (i) General Secretariat (GS), (ii) Mission in Unity and Contextual Theology (MU) and Ecumenical Leadership Formation and Spirituality (EF); and (iii) Building Peace and Moving Beyond Conflicts (BP) and Prophetic Diakonia (PD).

Assembly participants will have the option to join one of three groups for both the Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions. For the sake of coherence, the assigned group will remain the same for both sessions.

General Secretariat

The General Secretariat oversees the coordination of programmatic, administrative, and financial activities of the organization. The GS comprises various departments such as church and ecumenical relations, relations with ecumenical partners, finance, administration, and communications, which provide crucial support and services for the implementation of programs and contribute to the overall functioning of the CCA.

Programmes: Relations with member churches and councils, ecumenical partners; advocacy at the United Nations; ecumenical responses to emerging issues in solidarity; income development and finance; and communications.

Mission in Unity and Contextual Theology (MU) and Ecumenical Leadership Formation and Spirituality (EF)

Under the MU programme area, the CCA accompanies Asian churches to strengthen their mission and witness in multi-religious contexts, revitalise and nurture church unity and the Asian ecumenical movement, and develop contextual theological foundations.

Programmes: Asian Movement for Christian Unity (AMCU); Congress of Asian Theologians (CATS); Asian women doing theology in the context of wider ecumenism; contextualisation of theology in Asia and ecumenical theological education.

The EF programme area focuses on nurturing and developing ecumenical leaders in Asia. The programme aims to enhance spiritual formation and theological understanding, enabling people to actively engage in ecumenical dialogue and collaboration.

Programmes: Ecumenical Enablers’ Training in Asia (EETA); Asian Ecumenical Institute (AEI); Youth and Women Leadership Development; Ecumenical Spirituality and Nurturing of Contextual Liturgical Traditions; Asia Sunday

Building Peace and Moving Beyond Conflicts (BP) and Prophetic Diakonia and Advocacy (PD)

The BP programme area is dedicated to promoting peace, justice, and reconciliation in Asia’s diverse contexts. Through training, advocacy, and dialogue, the programme addresses the root causes of conflicts, empowers communities, and fosters sustainable peacebuilding initiatives.

Programmes: Pastoral Solidarity Visits; Churches in Action for Moving Beyond Conflict and Resolution; Young Ambassadors of Peace in Asia (YAPA); Ecumenical Women’s Action Against Violence (EWAAV); Eco-Justice for Sustainable Peace in the Oikos.

The PD programme area focuses on promoting justice, human rights, and social transformation in Asia. Through advocacy, capacity-building, and raising awareness, the programme addresses systemic injustice, empowers marginalised communities, and advocates for prophetic actions and meaningful change.

Programmes: Human Rights advocacy; Migration, Statelessness, and Trafficking in Persons; Asian Ecumenical Disability Advocacy Network; Asian Advocacy Network on the Dignity and Rights of Children (AANDRoC); Ecumenical Solidarity Accompaniment and Diakonia in Asia (ESADA); Health and Healing; Good Governance; Action Together to Combat HIV and AIDS in Asia (ATCHAA).

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    Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Cambodian church leaders affirmed their commitment to equipping local congregations to step up efforts to end gender-based violence. 

    Over forty participants attended the Ecumenical Women’s Action Against Violence (EWAAV) National Consultation, held from 27 to 29 May 2025, and organised by the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) for members of churches belonging to CCA’s member council in Cambodia, the Kampuchea Christian Council (KCC).

    The national consultation which focused on the theme “Empowerment and Collective Action to Ending Violence Against Women”, brought together local church leaders across Cambodia. It aimed to deepen awareness, build capacity, and strengthen ecumenical efforts to combat gender-based violence.

    Rev. Kang Phaldaracheat, President of the KCC, opened the consultation by emphasising that women, created in the image of God, possess inherent and sacred worth that must be affirmed and upheld. Drawing upon the life and ministry of Jesus as a model, he urged churches to break down barriers and engage actively in raising awareness to address violence against women and promote gender justice.

    Sotheavy Srey delivered the keynote address, focusing on the Church's vital role in empowering churches and communities, and building a collective commitment to gender equality. She urged the Church to be a proactive force in challenging patriarchy, systemic power imbalances, gender stereotypes, religious misinterpretations, and harmful cultural norms. “The Church must be a sanctuary of equality, justice, and respect,” the former youth secretary of KCC and present director of the Alliance for Conflict Transformation stressed.

    Lim Sambo of the Ang Metret Church, who shared insights on the status of women in Cambodian society, noted progress in female leadership but warned that deep-seated gender inequality remains. “Cultural norms still create barriers that keep women from accessing education, employment, and leadership,” she said.

    A workshop facilitated by Arceli Bile of CCA helped participants identify various forms of violence—physical, emotional, sexual, economic, and structural. She emphasised that without awareness, violence against women remains hidden, unchallenged, and normalised within society.

    Former Women’s Secretary of KCC Heng Tol facilitated a Bible study session, guiding the participants to understand the ongoing Cambodian context of gender and justice issues through biblical narratives, emphasising dignity, healing, and empowerment, particularly in Jesus’ interactions with women.

    Srey Nak, Gender and Advocacy Coordinator at Bantay Srei, a local women’s NGO, stressed the need for partnerships across sectors, and highlighted the need for mutual accountability between men and women in pursuing gender justice.

    Heam Vanna, a member of Zion Church and Family Life Coordinator at World Relief Cambodia, led a discussion on the role of the Church in promoting gender-justice in communities. She encouraged churches to speak out against discrimination and ensure inclusive spaces for all.

    Rev. Sok Nev, General Secretary of the revived national ecumenical church grouping in Cambodia, reflected on the biblical figures Deborah and Jael from Judges chapter 4. He urged the participants to recognise and affirm women's strength and spiritual calling in both Church and community life, encouraging them to fully commit to upholding the dignity of life regardless of gender.

    The consultation ended with participants sharing their commitments and future action plans to raise awareness and advocate within their churches, organisations, and communities to promote gender justice.

    Chhun Chandavy, KCC Women’s Ministry President, brought the event to a close by reaffirming the group’s shared vision of a just and inclusive society.

    For photos of the National Consultation on “Empowerment and Collective Action to Ending Violence Against Women”, please click here.