Phnom Penh (VNA) – Cambodia has officially become a Pathfinding Country ofthe Global Partnership to End Violence against Children.

The countryannounced the information during a symposium on the prevention of violenceagainst children held in Phnom Penh on September 12. The event, sponsored bythe United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), was attended by more than 300international delegates.

Speaking at the symposium,Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Men Sam An affirmed that the government haspaid heed to child protection and included the matter in the national actionplan and strategy on human resources development.

The official,who is also Minister of National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspection ofCambodia, said in the last two decades, the country has gained achievements in povertyreduction, thereby improving the lives of people, especially vulnerable groupssuch as children, the elderly, the disabled and war veterans.

However, she citeda survey released in 2013 as saying that violence against children remains a thornyissue in Cambodia, as 50 percent of children suffered from physical abuse, 25percent endured spiritual abuse and 20 percent faced sexual abuse.

The Cambodiangovernment has devised various measures to address the issue, including the ActionPlan to Prevent and Respond to Violence Against Children 2017-2021, she noted.

At the event,representatives of the Cambodian government, ministries and internationalorganisations put forward solutions to enhance multilateral cooperation toprevent and put an end to violence against children./.