Publications
Summary of findings
This evaluation was commissioned by DFAT to assess the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of the ACCESS program over its five-year duration; and to answer the question as to whether ACCESS’s focus and approach to improving service delivery for victims of GBV and people with disabilities is a relevant and effective route to advancing gender equality and social inclusion in Cambodia. The evaluation was also sought to identify lessons learned and best practices generated through ACCESS; and to provide an evidence base to support the shaping of Australia’s future support for gender equality, disability and social inclusion in Cambodia.
ACCESS was found to be highly relevant and aligned with the development policy and thematic priorities of the RGC and Australia on support to survivors of GBV and people with disabilities. The program has played a formative role in the refinement and updating of policies and national standards as one of the single largest donor-contributors to the implementation of RGC commitments in these sectors. ACCESS maintained its relevance by working adaptively and proactively to seize opportunities to promote inclusion within the changing delivery context of COVID-19, which emerged early in the program’s lifecycle and continues to impact on all aspects of the Cambodian context. This is well evidenced by the identification of people with disabilities as eligible for enrolment in the IDPoor scheme, and by the recovery of client caseloads after the drop in client numbers during lockdowns in 2021.