Six Cambodian women have been shortlisted for the Women of the Future Awards 2023 in Southeast Asia in a raft of categories that showcase the Kingdom’s diverse female talent on the international stage.

The Women of the Future Awards will be held in November in Singapore, when the winner of each category will be crowned.

Representing Cambodia is artist Koem Keosocheat in the Arts and Culture category; Chan Kimcheng, a Leader for Women Champion Network, Community People, applied for Community Spirit and Public Service, and Ret Thaung, Biodiversity and Science Manager at Conservation International Cambodia, has been shortlisted in the Environmental, Social, and Governance category.

In addition, Noun Chanphana Noun, of Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh made the shortlist in the Professions category; Omuoy Heang CEO at ADITI (Asia Digital Technology Innovation), in the Science, Technology, and Digital segment; and Chim Sreynut, Rugby and Life Skills Coach, Co-founder of Battambang Rugby Club, national rugby team player and member of Cambodia Federation of Rugby, has made it to the finals in the Sport section.

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Dominic Williams, UK Ambassador to Cambodia, told Kiripost that he is delighted that six Cambodian women are receiving the global recognition and attention they deserve.

He said that in Cambodia, he meets incredible women doing extraordinary things every day. He gave examples of recent meetings with “an impressive female cabinet minister, the first female head of the National Assembly, dynamic young women entrepreneurs, an amazing female singer, and a talented female journalist”.

“I’m particularly delighted that I had the chance to meet one of the Cambodian nominees, Kimcheng Chan, last week in Koh Kong province. So, I can assure you from personal experience that these women are making a huge difference,” he said. “I can’t wait to see them bring home some awards.”

Williams added that as the Women of the Future Awards are hugely prestigious, being nominated is an honor. However, he is confident Cambodia will not return home from Singapore empty-handed as the country’s shortlisted candidates are strong.

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“I’m really looking forward to celebrating with all these extraordinary Cambodian leaders after the awards ceremony,” he said.

Candidates must comply with at least one of 12 categories to apply for the program. These are Art and Culture, Business, Entrepreneur, ESG, Community Spirits, MBA Star, Media, Professions, Science, Sport, Technology and Digital, and Real Estate, Infrastructure, and Construction.

Aside from the 12 categories, candidates can apply for another three special awards, which are Young Star, Mentor of the Year, and Corporate.

Ret Thaung, one of the shortlisted candidates, told Kiripost that despite a tough entry process that required several recommendation letters to support the application, she is delighted to have been selected for the Women of the Future Awards 2023.

“As a woman in the conservation sector, this shortlist doesn't just make me happy but it is a validation and inspiration for young women to pursue conservation, especially biodiversity and research,” she said.

“In our country, we haven't seen a significant number of women in this field. This also proves that biodiversity and conservation research is not just for men, women can also do it,” she added.

Cambodian women have won many awards at the lauded ceremony, including Laura Mam for Art and Culture in 2018, Sotheavy At for Media and Communications in 2020, Panha Theng for Media and Communication in 2021, and Martalia Lo for Social Entrepreneur in 2022.

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