Australia Supports Ending Violence Against Women

By Penny Richards, Australian Ambassador to Cambodia 

On 8 March every year, women and men celebrate the progress we have made together towards gender equality. There is much to celebrate: women are leading countries, ministries, companies and non-governmental organisations. It is also a day on which we must look purposefully ahead to see what else needs to be done to achieve true gender equality.

Eliminating violence against women is one area where much more needs to be done. Violence against women and girls in its various guises remains an appalling blight on all nations. Simply put, it is unacceptable, anywhere, anytime.

Violence against women is not a problem isolated to one region or to one country in a particular stage of development. It is a global problem which affects people in all countries, both developed and developing, including Australia and Cambodia. One-in-three women worldwide are subjected to some form of physical violence by men during their lives. In Cambodia, one in four women who have been in a relationship have experienced violence. Research indicates that the situation is worse for women with disabilities.

With statistics like these, it is easy to feel disheartened. However, the eighth of March reminds us that together we are a potent voice for change. We must renew our collective and individual resolve to strive for societies where women and girls live in dignity, free of violence and coercion.

The Australian Government, through its aid program, is committed to a global effort to stop violence against women. As well as devastating lives and fracturing communities, violence undermines good development.

Globally, Australia is one of the leading donors working to combat violence against women. In 2011 the Australian Government committed an extra AUD 96.4 million over four years to initiatives to end violence against women in developing countries around the world.

In Australia we have been actively implementing our domestic National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security since its launch this time last year. As a member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2013-2014 period, we are highlighting the disproportionate impact of armed conflict on women and girls.

I am particularly proud of the work Australia is doing in Cambodia with our partners, including the Royal Government of Cambodia, to help end violence against women.

Australia has increased its contribution to this effort and will provide up to AUD 24 million in funding for a new initiative in Cambodia entitled Ending Violence Against Women. We aim, in partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia, to stop the scourge of gender-based violence.

This program will deliver emergency medical treatment and counselling to victims of gender-based violence. It will provide women with safe places to stay and job opportunities so they can re-establish their lives. It will increase their access to justice. Australia will work with the Royal Government of Cambodia, UN Women and civil society organisations to change attitudes and prevent violence so that women and girls can feel safer in their communities.

As part of this initiative, Australia has been able to provide grants totalling AUD 825,000 over three years to four NGOs, the Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development, Hagar Cambodia, Legal Aid of Cambodia, and Transcultural Psychosocial Organisation of Cambodia.

Separately, under the Human Rights Small Grants Scheme, Australia has provided AUD 95,000 to the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) for a project aimed to prevent and combat human trafficking, with a focus on protecting the rights of female migrant workers.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day this year, let us all work together to eliminate violence against women. I look forward to the day when women and girls are equally as safe in their homes, communities, workplaces and schools as men and boys.

Ms Penny Richards is Australian Ambassador to Cambodia