PHNOM PENH – Female students pursuing their education in Phnom Penh will soon have access to free dormitories after Senate President Hun Sen decided to donate a two-hectare plot of land for construction.

The announcement was made at a meeting with the National Council for Women on June 4.

Hun Sen said the dormitory in Chroy Changva district to be built on land worth around $10 million will provide a safe and convenient place for female students to live and continue their studies.

“I hope this dormitory will help alleviate the hardships of female students and accelerate investment in building their capacity and promote their participation in nation-building,” Hun Sen said. 

The dormitory will be able to accommodate 500 students in 120 rooms, with each room including a bathroom and kitchen. The facility also features a health center on the ground floor with examination rooms and space for on-call doctors.

After construction, the dormitory will be handed over to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to manage as state property. Hun Sen also shared his intention to build dormitories for male students, recognizing that many now live at pagodas.

Addressing Gender Inequality in Education

Pa Chanroeun, a social observer and president of the Cambodian Institute for Democracy, described the donation as a philanthropic and compassionate gesture that promotes a favorable environment for rural female students to pursue higher education and build skills for a better future.

“This opportunity helps address gender inequality among students, scholars, leaders and politicians,” he said. 

“It also contributes to the government’s efforts to promote education for women and support their vocational and academic development. 

“It is a positive step toward development and achieving the vision of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050.”

Mao Map, executive director of Klahaan, an NGO supporting women, also praised the initiative.

She said it will empower female students to strive for their dreams, improve their education, and reduce the gap in educational access and participation.

As someone who advocates for women’s rights and gender equality, Mao Map expressed hope for the initiative to be implemented quickly and expanded to accommodate more students.

Due to rising rental and living costs, she has seen that many female students have lost motivation to pursue higher education in Phnom Penh. She views this initiative as a meaningful investment in gender equality.

Phuong Sothiny, an alumna who once lived in a dormitory in Phnom Penh, believes the initiative will not only provide a place to stay but also encourage more female students to continue their education.

“These free dormitories can help reduce their financial burden during university, covering costs like water, electricity and food. More importantly, it gives them the space to grow and pursue their dreams,” Sothiny said.

Originally from Battambang province, Sothiny moved to Phnom Penh for her bachelor’s degree. She acknowledged the importance of dormitories in offering opportunities to students without family in the capital.

“Female students who gain higher education can solve both personal and family problems independently and contribute to society’s development,” she added.

“More than just a place to live, the dormitory provides a support system, allowing students to share experiences, support each other emotionally, and learn together.”

What Should Be Beyond Dormitories?

Chanroeun acknowledged that rural female students face numerous challenges, the most pressing being limited financial resources for daily expenses, followed by safety concerns.

To enable full access to higher education, Chanroeun hoped for scholarships to be provided in addition to safe dormitories.

“Scholarships, combined with safe housing, would offer a complete support package—physically secure and mentally comforting, without financial worries,” he said.

Sothiny also hopes the rooms will be comfortable and include adequate sleeping space, storage for study materials, and proper study desks.

“During my four years in university, I shared a room with four others and it was still comfortable. Thus, room design is crucial to ensure comfort and enough space for studying and storing materials,” she said. 

Beyond free accommodation, Mao Map also advocated for a national policy on gender equality, ensuring that female graduates receive equal treatment, fair opportunities, and protection from discrimination.

She also called for improved law enforcement regarding safety and security to protect female students regardless of their location or situation.

Senate spokesperson Chea Thyrith said that to encourage women’s participation in national development, Hun Sen instructed the council to propose to Prime Minister Hun Manet a minimum quota of two female deputy governors per city, district, and province.

“He also directed the council to consult with the prime minister and Civil Service Minister Hun Many on civil service recruitment, aiming to set a 50 percent quota for women,” Thyrith said.

Hun Sen also urged the council to expand efforts to empower women across all fields, making them strong contributors to the country’s development.