This week saw CARE join the launch of the latest phase of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)’s 20% Reinvestment Initiative. The event, which took place at the British Ambassador’s residence, announced a range of projects from GSK’s partners which support young people to make informed health decisions. Over the next three years, GSK is planning to invest approximately £500k (USD$670k) per year across the NGOs it supports, with CARE being one of its key partners alongside Plan International and Room to Read.
CARE has already been working with GSK for many years to improve maternal and child health by training midwives and community health workers in Koh Kong province. These efforts have helped up to 36,000 community members since 2013.
As GSK shifts its focus towards adolescent health, CARE is continuing to work with the company by engaging with young women in Phnom Penh. Over the next 5 years, GSK will support CARE Cambodia’s work to address the pervasive sexual, reproductive and maternal health and nutrition issues faced by the growing number of young factory workers in the Phnom Penh area.
“Adolescents make up 35% of the population in Cambodia and it is vital that we support these young people as they grow into the adults that will shape the future of the country,” says Vi Nguyen Thi Tuong, General Manager for GSK Cambodia (pictured left with CARE Cambodia Country Director Joanne Fairley). “As we have seen a dramatic increase in the numbers of young people migrating to cities over the past few years, the partnership’s initial areas of focus will be urban areas across Cambodia.”
This opportunity builds upon CARE’s many years of expertise working with women employed in Cambodia’s garment sector.
At the event, attendees were able to learn more about CARE’s Chat! Contraception training for garment workers, with a number stopping to download the interactive game to their phones so they could learn more. With the support of GSK, CARE will be rolling this out in more of the capital’s garment factories as well as developing new activities focusing on maternal and child health and nutrition.
Learn more about CARE’s previous work with GSK >
Learn more about CARE’s work in garment factories >