CCHR Press Release - CCHR releases a report on female representation in politics in Cambodia

CCHR PRESS RELEASE – 28 March 2013, Phnom Penh

CCHR releases a report on female representation in politics in Cambodia which provides a number of recommendations to address gender inequality in politics.

Today, 28 March 2013, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights’ (“CCHR”) Project to Promote Women’s Political Representation in Cambodia releases a report entitled “Politics in the Kingdom: Increasing Female Representation” (the “Report”). In light of the upcoming national elections scheduled for 28 July 2013, the Report is intended to contribute to an improved, comprehensive understanding of the situation of women in politics in Cambodia, providing a source of information to all stakeholders, including the Royal Government of Cambodia (the “RGC”), political parties, civil society, voters and the international community.

The Report reviews the domestic and international legislative and policy frameworks in place that are relevant to the political empowerment of women. Furthermore, the Report analyzes the number of women in all major political bodies and institutions – both elected and appointed – over time and in comparison with the targets which the RGC has committed itself to through national policies. The analysis of the data is followed by an examination of the cultural, socio-economic, institutional and political factors that contribute to the underrepresentation of women in politics. The Report concludes by highlighting strategies and mechanisms which have been implemented in other countries to address underrepresentation of women in politics and by offering a number of recommendations suggesting various strategies and mechanisms for increasing female participation in politics.  

CCHR Coordinator of the Project to Promote Women’s Political Representation in Cambodia, Chor Chanthyda comments:

“Despite legislation and policies that should enable more equitable representation of women in politics, our data shows that very little progress is being made towards achieving the targets which the RGC has committed itself to. I strong believe that combating gender inequality in politics and achieving substantial representation of women in politics is possible, but only with long-term commitments and collaborative efforts. All stakeholders – the RGC, all political parties, civil society and international partners – must work together to implement concrete solutions that will have long-term and sustainable impacts on the representation of women at all levels of politics.”

For more information, please contact Ms. Chor Chanthyda via telephone at +855 (0) 12 515 506 or e-­mail at thyda@cchrcambodia.org or CCHR Consultant Juliette Rousselot via telephone at  +855 (0) 15 35 06 20  or e-­mail at julietterousselot@cchrcambodia.org.

Please also find this Press Release and the Report itself attached in PDF format in both Khmer and English.

Kind regards,

CCHR