Women Scientists Take Center Stage in Phnom Penh to Shape ASEAN-India Innovation Future

Women Scientists Take Center Stage in Phnom Penh to Shape ASEAN-India Innovation Future

PHNOM PENH, July 8, 2026 – More than 130 of the brightest women scientists, researchers, and innovators from across India and ASEAN have gathered in Phnom Penh for a landmark conference aimed at breaking barriers and putting female leadership at the heart of the region's science and technology future.

The second ASEAN-India Women Scientists Conference, hosted by Cambodia's Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation and the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, is a three-day event designed to tackle the persistent gender gap in STEM fields while building a more inclusive innovation ecosystem.

Under the theme "Building an Inclusive Science, Technology and Innovation Community," the conference zeroes in on four critical areas: food security, sustainable energy, equitable education, and emerging technologies. It brings together 135 participants from India and ASEAN member states.

In a video address, India's Department of Science and Technology Secretary, Prof. Umesh Waghmare, noted that while women are making significant contributions to science and technology, they continue to face systemic challenges that demand institutional support and stronger networks.

"These women are driving progress," he said. "But they need more opportunities, more collaboration, and more recognition."

The conference features 10 roundtable discussions and an innovation pitch competition where women researchers will present their work. It also aims to fast-track the journey from lab to market—turning research into commercial products while strengthening ties between academia, industry, and SMEs.

"This conference is about raising voices and opening doors," said Souksavath Sihapanya, Chair of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation. "We cannot build a resilient and competitive region without the full participation of women in science and innovation."

Cambodia has made women's participation in STEM a national priority. Speaking at the opening, H.E. Dr. Nhim Khemara reaffirmed the government's commitment to achieving at least 50 percent female STEM graduates under its Pentagonal Strategy and STI Roadmap 2030.

"A nation's innovation potential is incomplete without its women," he said. "It's time to move from conversation to action—to empower women as leaders, not just participants."

Despite their growing contributions, women remain underrepresented in advanced scientific research and leadership roles. This conference is a bold step toward changing that—by fostering regional cooperation, building cross-border networks, and inspiring a new generation of female scientists to lead.

— Source: Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation

Reported by The Khmer Today