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Interview/Speech/Testimony

CEDAW Anniversary: A Place at the Table for Women in Cambodia

Published

In honor of the 33rd anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), IFES colleagues from around the world share their thoughts on gender discrimination in their countries and how they are working to overcome it.

Name: Sokunmealea Yim
Title: Program Coordinator
Country: Cambodia

How does discrimination against women affect their participation as citizens in Cambodia?

Discrimination against women makes fewer women participate in decision making. It leads to a small number of women in decision-making positions overall.

Because of discrimination, women are provided fewer education opportunities, which leads to fewer employment opportunities, lower economic standing and fewer financial resources.

Many women's issues cannot be addressed adequately without women’s involvement, because women know their issues and understand women's issues better than men do.

Please tell us about your work with IFES related to combating discrimination against women and promoting women's empowerment.

We have worked to promote women's participation in elections and politics through the Women's Progressive Leadership in Elections Administration and Management program. We have empowered women through providing trainings related to elections, democracy and soft skills like public speaking, building self-confidence and leadership.

Further, we have assisted women in building a network among themselves, nongovernmental organizations, government, political parties and elected officials.

IFES has also supported a women's advocacy working group, which is composed of nongovernmental organizations working on gender issues, to lobby on women's issues for policy reform.