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Survey : Women Political Activist’s Participation in Politics in Cambodia

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January 25, 2023

Survey : Women Political Activist’s Participation in Politics in Cambodia

Source: COMFREL

Cambodian women remain to face different forms of discrimination and violence against them in their political participation and interests; it is a serious issue although their political rights and participation are fully guaranteed by the Cambodian Constitution and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Representation and meaningful participation of Cambodian women in politics and political leadership remains low compared to their male counterparts at all levels. Despite that, 80 percent of the survey participants acknowledged that women’s participation in politics is crucial, especially for elections in Cambodia toward equitable and inclusive development of the country.

The findings show that 71% of the participants experienced violence against women in politics (VAWIP). The study showed that women in politics both in the ruling party, opposition party, and other parties face the violence of multiple types, dimensions and at all levels. Both female commune councillors and female parliamentarians experienced violence against them but in different forms and degrees. The violence against female commune councillors and female parliamentarians from the opposition party (i.e., former CNRP) is more obvious, dreadful, and frequent than women in the ruling party or other small parties. In the meantime, the female commune councillors experienced more abusive and direct violence against them than the female parliamentarians.

Click here to access the full report.

Resource type
Region
Author
Chanroeun Pa and Sary Seng
Publisher
Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia
Focus areas

Cambodian women remain to face different forms of discrimination and violence against them in their political participation and interests; it is a serious issue although their political rights and participation are fully guaranteed by the Cambodian Constitution and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Representation and meaningful participation of Cambodian women in politics and political leadership remains low compared to their male counterparts at all levels. Despite that, 80 percent of the survey participants acknowledged that women’s participation in politics is crucial, especially for elections in Cambodia toward equitable and inclusive development of the country.

The findings show that 71% of the participants experienced violence against women in politics (VAWIP). The study showed that women in politics both in the ruling party, opposition party, and other parties face the violence of multiple types, dimensions and at all levels. Both female commune councillors and female parliamentarians experienced violence against them but in different forms and degrees. The violence against female commune councillors and female parliamentarians from the opposition party (i.e., former CNRP) is more obvious, dreadful, and frequent than women in the ruling party or other small parties. In the meantime, the female commune councillors experienced more abusive and direct violence against them than the female parliamentarians.

Click here to access the full report.

Resource type
Region
Author
Chanroeun Pa and Sary Seng
Publisher
Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia
Focus areas