WHILE Cambodia has policies promoting gender equality and combating violence against women, there are still concerns about domestic violence, the promotion of men over women, and the arrest of surrogate mothers.
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) said it praised the Cambodian government’s efforts but noted its concern that there are no provisions in the constitution that define direct or indirect discrimination against women.
It remained concerned that the primary means of resolving cases of domestic violence in Cambodia was informal reconciliation by community members.
CEDAW released its findings on the women’s rights situation in Cambodia last Monday.
The committee added that discriminatory stereotypes normalising male superiority remained deeply rooted in the country while surrogate mothers have been arrested and subjected to criminal proceedings since the criminalisation of surrogacy in 2016.
CEDAW’s report also said the Penal Code only prohibits certain forms of direct discrimination, such as denial of access to goods, services or employment.
“The committee also notes that recently amended laws have not effectively addressed inequalities between men and women and regrets the lack of gender impact assessment when adopting or revising legislation,” the report noted.
Despite efforts having been made to improve access to justice by women, particularly in rural areas, the committee raised concerns about the lack of court cases on discrimination against women and that there are significant barriers to women’s and girls’ access to justice.
“The committee recommends the government to take concrete steps to strengthen the independence and impartiality of the judiciary and ensure that cases of gender-based discrimination and violence against women, including domestic violence and rape, are thoroughly investigated, perpetrators are prosecuted and adequately punished and victims are provided remedies,” the report said, according to the Khmer Times.
In a remark during the 74th Session Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in October, Women’s Affairs Minister Ing Kantha Phavi had said that a definition of gender discrimination had been drafted as part of the National Gender Policy.
She said it covered areas such as pay, access to resources and participation in decision-making. The policy is expected to be adopted at the end of this year or early next year.
Kantha had also noted that specific measures have been taken to prevent multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination against women, especially against women living with HIV/AIDS, older women, migrant women, women living with disabilities, those living in remote and rural areas and indigenous women.
Meanwhile, the Phnom Penh Post reported a Women’s Affairs Ministry spokesman as saying it would continue to support the resolution of domestic violence in court as it was a criminal offence.
He said the ministry is making efforts to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women.
Since 1993, the number of women holding the position of secretary of state or undersecretary of state had increased, while those becoming leaders of ministries and members of the National Assembly had also grown.
He said women were also deputy provincial governors in all provinces.