The US embassy in Cambodia has launched the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), a program designed to equip women with business skills, entrepreneurial resources and networking opportunities.
In collaboration with Paññāsāstra University in Phnom Penh and Impact Hub, an Austrian social enterprise group, the US Embassy has welcomed 30 women from diverse fields in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap to join Cambodia’s first cohort of the AWE program.
The emerging businesswomen will commit to nine months of the program, which includes entrepreneurial seminars, an exhibition day, networking opportunities, and mentorship, along with post-program support.
“I am proud to say that the U.S. has been at the forefront of the policy discussion on empowering women for years,” said embassy chargé d’affaires, Bridgette Walker, at the opening ceremony on September 10 in Phnom Penh.
“We know that when women are empowered economically, they invest in their families and communities, spurring economic growth, creating stability, and creating conditions for everyone to thrive.”
Walker said that AWE can be a life-changing program for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Established in 2019 and funded by the US Department of State, AWE has welcomed women entrepreneurs from around the globe, giving them “the knowledge, networks and access they need to launch and scale successful businesses”. Over 25,000 women in 100 countries have participated in the program, according to the US Embassy in Cambodia.
Minister of Commerce, Cham Nimul, is optimistic that the 30 women in Cambodia’s AWE program will unlock their business and innovation potential through comprehensive training and mentorship, she said during the launch ceremony. She also hopes participants will share their experiences with other entrepreneurs who are not in the program.
“I am thrilled to see the results of our joint effort. I look forward to further support from the US government and stakeholders for Cambodian entrepreneurs, especially women and people with disabilities,” she said.
Nimul encouraged the Cambodia Women Entrepreneurs Association (CWEA), which supports and empowers women in business in Cambodia, to leverage its members’ participation in the AWE program to broaden their network and foster global business partnerships.
This initiative comes as Cambodian has recorded its highest number of registered woman-owned businesses to date.
According to the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI), there are 8,140 women entrepreneurs with registered businesses in Cambodia.
Ry Sydaneth, managing director of OSB Printing and an admitted AWE participant, has a predefined aim going into the AWE program.
Sydaneth said she is keen on learning more about digital marketing and building an extensive network of business leaders in Cambodia and abroad.
She expects this program to help her business grow, broaden her network, and increase her customer base. Additionally, Sydaneth hopes to be selected as the program’s funding awardee, which would provide a grant to support her business.
Fellow participants Heng Pich Puthea Votey, a guest relations manager at PINAKPOU restaurant, and Chhin Rya, the general manager of the Cambodian Top Team – a fitness and boxing club – also believe the program will help them improve their operations and business acumen.
“First, it [the AWE program] will help me build a strong network – and second – I get to represent and promote my business,” said Voety. “The best part is that I don’t have to invest any money—just my time.”
“I believe that the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs will help us achieve our goals and address areas we haven’t yet fully developed, ultimately leading to significant improvements,” said Rya.
