Women in Cambodia

A Cambodian fisherwoman.

Women in Cambodia, sometimes referred to as Khmer women, have been described as comparable to the Apsaras or "celestial goddesses on the walls of the great temples of Angkor Wat" who have "pleasant smile[s]" and "distant gaze[s]". These Cambodian goddesses imbibe purity and virtuousness, thus an epitome for female Cambodians. The image of Cambodian women is also generally defined by the influence of the literary figure known as Srey Kroup Leakhnak, who was the "virtuous woman who upholds the family name" and honor. Srey Kroup Leakhnak is said to be the identity of true Khmer women.

Based on tradition, Cambodian women are supposed to be modest, soft-spoken, a "light" walker, well-mannered, industrious, belong to the household, act as the family's caregiver and caretaker and financial comptroller, perform as the "preserver of the home", the maintainer of their virginity until marriage, become faithful wives, and advisors and servants to their male spouses. The "light" walking and refinement of Cambodian women is further described as being "quiet in […] movements that one cannot hear the sound of their silk skirt rustling". As financial controllers, the women of Cambodia can be identified as figures of the household who practically have real authority at the familial level.

Work

In recent years, particularly after the Cambodian Civil War, there had been a deficit in the number of male laborers. Thus women took over responsibilities that are commonly and principally done by Cambodian men. Under Cambodian law, women are to receive "equal pay for equal work". In practice, however, most women of Cambodia receive lower wages than their male counterparts. During the 1990s many "uneducated, young women" from the rural areas ventured into the city to work in garment factories.

Religion

A Buddhist nun in Cambodia.

Cambodian women are the main participants in worship ceremonies held in Buddhist temples, particularly during the thngai sil or "holy days". Other women in Cambodia not only participate as worshippers, but become Buddhist nuns or yiyay chi themselves, especially the widowed and the elderly.

Education

Many young Cambodian girls or adolescents had to stop attending schools due to several factors. One factor is that they are needed at home to take care of younger siblings, become in-charge of household work, and take on the responsibility of becoming supporters to the head of the home. Other factors are extreme poverty, the distance of the school from the house, and sometimes even safety for the young woman when traveling from home to school and vice versa.?

Political status

In general, from the 1980s up to the present, the number of female participants in Cambodian politics had remained low, including high-level positions, in both local and national or central levels of the government. From 1993, however, there was a rise in Cambodian women’s participation, including leadership, in non-governmental organizations that focus on the issues and rights of women.

Legal status

Based on Cambodian legislation and history, men and women always had equal rights. This proclamation is also stated in the Constitution of Cambodia. Women benefits from inheritance laws, wherein they can own property, they can "bring property into a marriage", they can retrieve the said property if they decide to do so, and they can easily obtain a divorce.

Prostitution

Prostitution in Cambodia involves the hiring of local women and women from Vietnam, and is being linked to the sex trade in nearby Thailand. Because of prostitution, around 2.8% of Cambodia’s population are infected with HIV or AIDS.

Welfare

In rural communities, Cambodian women are generally susceptible to becoming victims of domestic violence with "little legal recourse". Some Cambodian women are not able to protect themselves from discrimination, gender inequality, violence, and abuse because they are not aware of their legal rights, and they are also not knowledgeable enough about their human rights and the adherent procedures in order for them to exercise such rights.

Social status

A young Cambodian waitress waiting on customers.

Contrary to traditional Cambodian culture, young Cambodian women have been influenced by Western ways. One trend is that some young female Cambodians, particularly in Phnom Penh, overtly consume liquors and alcoholic beverages in restaurants. Other influential factors to female consumers of alcohol include the sense of having equal rights between men and women, peer pressure, companionship, enjoyment, experimentation, family troubles, abandonment by a boyfriend, and advertisements.

Statistical information

In 2004, a survey made by the Gender and Development for Cambodia reported the following data: "45% of Cambodian women are illiterate (70% are considered as functionally illiterate); only 16% of Cambodian girls are enrolled in lower secondary schools (grades 7-9); only 5% of girls are enrolled in upper secondary schools; only 30% of upper secondary school students are female; only 20% of graduates from universities are women; only 10% of National Assembly members are females; only 6% of the female workforce is paid; only 8% of Commune Council members are women; only 7% of judges are women; and 23% of women have suffered physical domestic abuse".

See also

• Mu Sochua
• Women's Media Centre of Cambodia

Further reading

• McCarthy, Casey. Cambodia's First Lady becomes National Champion for Women's and Children's Health, February 21, 2011, un.org.kh
• Cambodia's First Lady appointed national champion for women’s and children’s health, Feature Story, February 23, 2011, unaids.org
• The Situation of Women in Cambodia, July 2004, 55 pages.
• Staff. Accelerating the Global Health Initiative: Cambodia's HIV/AIDS Efforts Put Women in the Driver's Seat, Women in Development, February/March 2011, USAID from the American people, usaid.gov
• Outreach Worker Manual, Cambodian Women's Health Project, January 1998, 60 pages, cancercontrol.cancer.gov

External links

• Cambodian Women's Crisis Center (CWCC)
• Women's Media Centre of Cambodia
• Cambodia Women Health Organization