The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday launched ParentingTips, a new digital platform aimed at supporting parents and caregivers in providing nurturing and positive care for children in Cambodia.
“This platform is a game-changer for parents and caregivers in Cambodia, particularly in remote areas,” said Will Parks, UNICEF representative in Cambodia.
“By providing easy access to parenting information, ParentingTips ensures that families receive the guidance they need to support the healthy development of their children,” he added.
In partnership with the Cambodian government, the platform, delivered via Telegram and interactive voice response (IVR) calls, allows parents to receive timely and relevant information.
Parents can register for free by calling the short code 1279 or by clicking a link sent via SMS, the statement said.
It added that once registered, they can access a wide range of topics, from nutrition to responsive caregiving and positive discipline.
Cambodia’s young children face significant challenges, including high levels of malnutrition and violent discipline.
According to the latest Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey (2021-2022), 49 per cent of children aged 0-2 years did not meet minimum dietary diversity requirements.
However, 66 per cent of children aged one to 14 years have been subjected to violent discipline.
“ParentingTips is designed to address these issues by providing parents with practical, evidence-based advice on creating safe, stimulating environments for their children,” the press release said.