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Problems Facing Women in Cambodia
In most of the world, including Cambodia, women do not have as many rights and opportunities as men. Only half of the girls in Cambodia today can go to school while ¾; of the boys go to school. At the university level, only 10% of the students are women, not because they aren’t as smart as men, but because they aren’t given the opportunity. Even when women work, they still have to do most of the shopping, cooking, childcare and cleaning.
A Cambodian government report summarized the problems facing Cambodian women as unemployment, prostitution, AIDS, a shortage of day-care centers, domestic violence, landlessness, illiteracy, lack of education and vocational training, under representation in politics and government, and high rates of maternal and child mortality.
Lieng, a Cambodian medical doctor stated, "Since the Khmer Rouge regime, I’ve seen a lot of insane women on the streets of Phnom Penh. My aunt used to be a fine person, but she lost her sanity after the Khmer Rouge killed her husband and children; now she doesn’t make sense when she speaks. Nearly half the older women in Cambodia have health problems related to the Khmer Rouge period, and as a medical doctor I see a lot of nervous disorders and circulation problems in women. When something triggers a woman’s memory, like seeing a person’s face who reminds her of her dead husband, it is common for her to have a seizure."
How are women in the US oppressed? (paid less than men, not many women in political office, there’s never been a woman president or vice-president, many have to do the housework and childcare in addition to work, in advertising women are often shown to be sex objects)
How to Improve the Status of Cambodian Women
Serey Phal, director of the Cambodian Women’s Development Association, states "Women’s issues are not recognized since we don’t have women represented in our government. Men do not clearly comprehend women’s problems because they are not in the same situation as we are. If we want to help women participate more in government and decision making, we need to think about women’s education as part of the long term plan because at the university level only ten percent of the students are women.
"Education alone is not empowering because Cambodian women feel scared and hesitant, so we must encourage them and build their self-confidence. Cambodian men should learn to value and respect women, and the school curriculum ought to be changed to convey these concepts. We also must address the underlying difficulties that keep girls from attending school, such as poverty.
"My life is similar to the lives of women around the world. I face the same problems as women in other developing countries. Cambodians have many difficulties because our country is one of the poorest. I have decided to work hard and sacrifice, so that the next generation can have a better life. When I talk to women of different nationalities, they all say, 'We want to live in peace. We want our children to live in happiness.' This is the common wish of women all over the world."
Success of Women
Ratha and Lieng were more successful than most Cambodian women.
- What advantages did they have? (an education, a middle class family)
Like many women in Cambodia, Ratha and Lieng’s husbands were killed during the genocide. Today 25% of Cambodian families are headed by women.
- What challenges do you think they face? (getting a job, supporting their family, funding their children’s’ education)
Both Ratha and Lieng chose to devote their life to helping other people.
- What in their life experiences influenced them to do that? (their parents taught them to be kind to others, they saw people suffering and saw injustices and they wanted to help)
The strength of these women didn’t come from agression or force, their strength came through the gentle qualities of a mother.
- What are the qualities of a mother? (love, empathy, compassion and patience)
- Can men have these qualities also?
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Books about Women in Cambodia
Ledgerwood, Judy. Analysis of the Situation of Women in Cambodia. 1992. UNICEF
Journal Articles about Women in Cambodia
Cambodia: reconstructing the fabric of women's lives / Leiper, Sochua Mu
Connexions, no. 46, 1994, p. 29
Cambodia's women: shouldering the burden / Pat Orvis
Populi, v. 20:3, March 1993, 5 pgs.
Explosive spread of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases in Cambodia / Ryan, C.A., et. al.
Lancet, v. 35, no. 9110, April 18, 1998, p. 1175-6.
New Women's Media Center in Cambodia
Women Envision, v. 22, Feb 1995, p. 16
Plates in a basket will rattle: domestic violence in Cambodia
Women in Action , Mar 1996, p. 54
Politics and gender: negotiating conceptions of the ideal woman in present day Cambodia / Judy Ledgerwood.
Asia Pacific Viewpoint, v. 37:2, August 1996, p. 139-152
Women shoulder the burden of Cambodia's economy / Roess, Veronique
World of Work, Sept-Oct 1994, v. 9, p. 24-25.
Women widows in Cambodia are employed as deminers-clearing fields of landmines.
Sister Namibia, July 1997, v.9:3, p. 38.
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