FES International Policy Analysis Unit

FES Journal - International Politics and Society

GENDER ISSUES - CAMBODIA

Cambodian women are highly engaged in economic activities. They represent 53 per cent of the total workforce. 74 per cent of Cambodian women are engaged in economy, compared to only 68 per cent of the men. However, women encounter several hardships and difficulties. They continue to face substantial discrimination in the labor market, earning about 30 to 40 per cent less than men. This is due to the fact that under the law women are not considered equal to men and laws therefore contain discriminatory elements concerning economic activities. The gender disparities inherent in national education programs are also due to these discriminatory laws. The illiteracy rate for Cambodian women amounts to 57 per cent.

The Ministry for Women and Veterans has tried to increase literacy by organizing several school-attendance campaigns.

The exceptionally high female involvement in economic development is not accompanied by equivalent representation on political committees. The percentage of women in the Lower House stands at only 7.4 per cent. There are only two female ministers, four female secretaries of state and five female deputy secretaries of state. There is not a single female governor in the 24 Cambodian provinces.

In accordance with the Beijing Platform for Action, the government has committed itself to removing gender disparities in national education programs, providing comprehensive and adequately funded health care for women, establishing gender parity in peace negotiations and conflict resolutions, and eliminating discriminatory elements in laws and regulations concerning economic activities. Furthermore, it has made commitments to design and implement employment programs that target women, guarantee loans for women entrepreneurs and provide training to women in non-traditional fields.

Women's Media Center of Cambodia (WMC) is the primary NGO in Cambodia addressing women's issues through the media. WMC has close links with local and international NGOs, especially those focusing on public education, human rights, women's issues, and media and development. Women for Prosperity is promoting equality between men and women and trying to enhance gender awareness.

Khmer Women's Voice, a magazine published in English and Cambodian, is another women's lobby that aims to promote gender awareness in Cambodian society. It was founded to draw attention to women's political and economic rights. The fact that the constitution does not regard men and women on equal terms is a focal point of the magazine's engagement.

Cambodian Institutions dealing with Gender Issues

Government

Ministry of Women’s and Veterans’ Affairs (MWVA) is the national machinery of the government of Cambodia to promote the role and status of women

NGOs

Women's Media Centre of Cambodia (WMC) is the primary NGO on Cambodia addressing women's issues through the media. WMC has close links with local and international NGOs, especially those which focus on public education, human rights, women's issues, and media and development.