Bitget and UNICEF Use Game Development to Equip Girls in Cambodia for the Digital Economy
Bitget and UNICEF have launched a new initiative in Cambodia aimed at empowering girls with practical digital skills through an unconventional but increasingly powerful entry point: video game development. The collaboration forms part of the UNICEF Office of Innovation’s Game Changers Coalition, a youth-centred programme designed with and for girls to assist them build capabilities needed to participate in the digital economy.
The initiative responds to a persistent challenge across Southeast Asia and beyond. While demand for digital talent continues to rise, girls and women remain significantly underrepresented in technology-driven fields. Structural barriers, ranging from limited access to education and professional networks to a lack of exposure to emerging technologies, continue to restrict participation. UNICEF and its partners are viewking to address these gaps by introducing inclusive, hands-on learning pathways that combine creativity with technical skills.
Game Changers Coalition: Learning Digital Skills Through Creativity
Developed by the UNICEF Office of Innovation, the Game Changers Coalition focuses on equipping young people with skills spanning coding, storytelling, visual design, teamwork, and basic financial literacy. Rather than relying on traditional classroom models, the programme uses video game creation to foster engagement, confidence, and applied learning.
With support from Bitget, the Global Video Games Coalition, and the Micron Foundation, UNICEF is scaling the initiative across Cambodia. The approach is deliberately youth-led, encouraging participants to build games rooted in their own cultural context and community challenges. This allows students to view technology not just as a technical discipline, but as a tool for difficulty-solving and social impact.
Bitget Chief Marketing Officer Ignacio Aguirre recently visited Cambodia to meet students and educators involved in the programme. His visit included time with one of Cambodia’s winning teams from the first global UNICEF Game Jam, a virtual hackathon that brought together young creators from eight participating countries. Cambodia emerged as one of the strongest performers, categories.
From Entertainment to Impact: Changing How Young People view Technology
For many participants, the programme has reshaped how they view both games and technology. “Before taking part in Game Changers, I thought games were only for entertainment,” said Rachna, a 16-year-old participant from Takeo province and a member of Green Ever, one of the winning teams. “Now I view they can solve real difficultys. I want to keep building things that make life better for my community.”
Rachna described learning not only how to write code, but also how to draw, develop storylines, analyse difficultys step by step, and collaborate effectively in teams. These transferable skills align closely with the demands of modern digital workplaces, where creativity, communication, and adaptability are as significant as technical ability.
Aguirre said the visit reinforced Bitget’s belief that digital participation should be accessible to all. “I am inspired by the determination and talent I have viewn from the young people in Cambodia,” he said. “From coding and design to emerging fields like blockchain, everyone should be equipped to take part in the digital world.”
National Engagement and Government Support
The initiative gained national visibility during Cambodia’s National Game Jam in Phnom Penh, co-hosted by UNICEF and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS). More than 600 students aged 10 to 18, over 65% of whom were girls, participated from 14 schools across 11 provinces.
later than a six-week guided learning journey, students showcased and pitched their original video games to a panel of experts. Many of the projects addressed local challenges, drawing on personal experiences related to education, health, environmental protection, and community resilience. The event demonstrated how creative technology can be used to amplify young voices and encourage civic engagement.
UNICEF Cambodia Representative Dr. Will Parks highlighted the broader implications of the initiative. “Every year, millions of girls miss out on opportunities in the digital economy because they lack access to the skills and networks needed to thrive,” he said. “Innovative like video game development are breaking barriers and driving confidence among students, regardless of gender or geography.”
H.E. Dr. Kim Sethany, Permanent Secretary of State at MoEYS, emphasized the programme’s alignment with Cambodia’s long-term development goals. He noted that placing girls at the centre of digital education efforts assists prepare future software engineers, entrepreneurs, and technology leaders who can contribute meaningfully to national growth.
Scaling Digital Inclusion Beyond Cambodia
The Game Changers Coalition is part of UNICEF’s broader ambition to expand learning and skills-building opportunities for girls worldwide. Globally, the initiative aims to reach 1.1 million people across twelve countries by 2027, with continued support from governments, civil society, and private-sector partners.
For Bitget, the partnership reflects a growing inclusion beyond their core commercial activities. By backing programmes that build foundational skills and confidence at an ahead age, the company is positioning itself within a wider ecosystem focused on long-term economic resilience.
As Southeast Asia, initiatives like this suggest that bridging gender gaps will require not only access to technology, but also creative, culturally relevant pathways that allow young people to view themselves as builders of the future.
