via CAAI News Media
Despite Some Progresses in the Cambodian Women's Social Issues, More is Needed
Monday, 08 March 2010 08:42 DAP-NEWS/ Ek Madra
PHNOM PENH, March 8, 2010 - There has been progressed in a number of social areas for the Cambodian women as well as the legal aspect which have empowered the group to play a vital role in society in the last three terms, but still domestic violence against the group is high, said the Minister of Women's Affairs on the International Women's Day.
Dr. Ing Kantha Phavi said in her statement release to media on the event of March 8 that there considerable progresses in the areas such as women in public decision-making and politics, legal aspects, economic empowerment for women, and women's health as well as improving in education field for the group.
But the Minister noted that members of the group have been continued as victims by the domestic violence and rapes, which is still high.
"It seems over the last 15 years the domestic violence and violence against women and children are still high".
"Rape and forced sex have been on the increase, particular among minors aged from 5 to 18," she said in the release which was seen by DAP.
"There is also an increasing fear of gang rapes by teenagers, which is likely to have been caused by consumption of alcohol, drugs and pornography through the internet, mobile phones and pornographic movies."
"These issues have intoxicated the social atmosphere and damaged the public order," she said.
The Minister said that more actions need to be taken by the relevant institutions to prevent the group from being affected by such unlawful abuses.
"They are psychologically affecting our youth and creating unfavorable conditions for the next generation," she said.
"Therefore, the capacity building of young people to give them the skills they need to reach their full potential, to become active, productive, responsible with mature behavior is the responsibility of everyone including young people themselves."
She also called the government to more investments in youth given they are the future of the country's backbone.
"So investing in them is investing in human resource development and the country's development in general".
She however noticed that Cambodian women have accessed to all opportunities as the government has allowed them through the policies and the legal frameworks.
The numbers of women, who hold seat at the legislative body, have increased five folds in recent years thanks to the government's support which set the Gender Equality as a national policy.
Also there have been an increased numbers of the Cambodian women who hold top position such as secretary of states and as deputy governors.
"For the first time in our history we have deputy prime minister as woman," said the Minister said of Men Sam An who has been appointed for the post.
There are now 37 deputy governors as women in 2009, from 24 in 2008. There are 32 judges and prosecutors as women out of the total 308 judges and prosecutors, she said.
There are now 26 women as law makers at the National Assembly in 2008 from only 7 in 1993.
Local news televisions aired series of stories about the domestic violence, the move aimed at educating people not to commit such crimes.
She also saw that Cambodian women, which made up of 52 percent out of the country's total population is estimated 14 million, will have a greater impact on society in a long term given them already played a vital role in society.
"On this special day, we take the opportunity to review what has been achieved in the previous year in relation to the advancement of women and to prepare the strategy and new activities for the future."
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