Ms. Marianna Garofalo, Chief of the Child Protection Program at UNICEF Cambodia and an Italian citizen, was recognized for her fruitful collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation (MOSVY) on December 18, 2024.
Together with Ms. Lisa-Marie Ouedraogo-Wasi, Chief of Public Finance for Children, Marianna accepted the award on behalf of UNICEF Cambodia during MOSVY’s annual review.
UNICEF Cambodia plays a critical role in protecting children across the country, ensuring their rights are upheld and fostering safe environments for their growth and development. The program led by Marianna focuses on strengthening comprehensive child protection systems to address violence, exploitation, and abuse ensuring care for every child, including those with disabilities and those living in hard-to-reach communities. This includes the establishment of child-friendly justice mechanisms and promoting family-based care as an alternative to residential care institutions for children separated from their families. UNICEF also raises awareness about the impact of violence and exploitation, such as corporal punishment, which remains high prevalent in Cambodia. In recent years, UNICEF has emerged as the leading advocate for government investment in the social service workforce, recognizing it as the backbone of effective child protection.
