The United Nations has launched a project to support the growth of women entrepreneurs in Cambodia. This is part of a strategy for poverty reduction, social well-being and sustainable economic growth. The project aims at creating an enabling policy and business environment that enhances women entrepreneurs’ access to capital. Women entrepreneurs are seen as true agents of change whose innovations can lift companies, communities, and countries and Cambodia is committed to improving their prospects, unleashing women entrepreneurs’ full potential and putting gender equality squarely upfront.

As one of the activities under the innovative finance part of the project, a fund has been launched. The fund will support companies to pilot innovative digital and financial solutions that help improve access for women-owned or led micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Successful applicants will be provided with technical assistance, mentorship and early stage co-funding to pilot and upscale their solutions.

Women-owned businesses have been on the rise over the past 20 years in the Asia Pacific region. In Cambodia, around 65 per cent of micro-sized businesses are women-led. However, when it comes to upscaling their business women entrepreneurs across the Asia-Pacific region, face significantly higher barriers including discriminatory legislative framework, limited access to finance, lack of opportunities for capacity development and discriminatory socio-cultural norms and beliefs.