Seven women were appointed deputy district governors in Banteay Meanchey province Tuesday, according to Deputy Provincial Governor Sar Chamrong.
With the appointment of the seven women during a ceremony at Banteay Meanchey provincial government office, all eight districts in the province now have a female deputy governor, Sar Chamrong said.
“We celebrate the ceremony to appoint them as deputy governors by recommendation of Prime Minister Hun Sen,” he said, adding that Banteay Meanchey also appointed a female deputy district governor in May. Hun Sen announced in March that 200 deputy provincial and district positions for women would be created.
Ministry of Interior Director General of Staff Sak Setha said Tuesday the prime minister’s creation of the posts was intended to raise more women to positions in government policy making and social work.
Women deputy provincial governors have been now been installed in 90 percent of provinces, Sak Setha said. However, only 50 to 60 of the country’s 183 districts have women deputy governors.
Some provinces had not completed appointing women in deputy positions because there were not enough suitable candidates and in some areas women did not apply for the posts, he said.
Women could also be appointed governor in the future, but appointing female deputy governors represented a first step, Sak Setha said.
“Women will be appointed governor based on their qualifications,” he said, adding that the new female deputy governors would keep their positions following the national election.
