Cambodian Women and Barriers to Social Participation

AUSIS shares Bright Ideas to help make or save money

Share this article

Teca Menu

GET ONLINE WITH AUSIS

AUSIS Surf the world with our DOMAIN SERVICES

VISIT OUR DOMAIN SERVICES FOR GREAT PACKAGES TO GET YOU ONLINE FASTER

Fabulous organisation for multiple sclerosis in the UK

In our research we came across the above link and found the site was run by sqiffy over at stumble upon. Please take the time to visit for a bit of fun and education...

HAVE A NICE DAY
WE WISH YOU LUCK

Cambodian Women and Barriers to Social Participation

by: Lay Vicheka

"Women hold more than half of the sky" -- (Chinese Saying)

But why women are the ones who suffer the greatest discriminations and pains?

Women account for more than fifty percent of the overall Cambodian population; furthermore, all work related to society, culture, politics, economics, humanity, etc., won’t attain great achievement, unless women are allowed to take part. Since antiquity, Cambodia was a women-headed state (story of male/female hill, as a unique example), which means women held important roles in leadership in almost all fields. In contrast, why the number of women today, participated in society-related especially in the decision-making work, has ominously diminished, compared to men's, in today's Cambodia ?

Cultural Factor

In retrospect traditionally, Cambodian women were edified to bear in mind the quality of "Khmerness"; virtue, gentleness, unconditional gratitude to parents, seriousness, loyalty…etc. Due to all of these cultural constraints, Cambodian women had to follow them without knowing any original meanings. I am not criticizing these Cambodia ’s spirits that has, thousands of years, nicknamed Cambodia "The Golden territory," but I want our teachers/professors/students to explain and think deeper about these values; when "calmness is gold," and when "to venture expression for better tomorrow." Too many women are being negatively tolerant to their husbands' violence, unsafe sex, physical exploitations, etc. These women don’t venture to liberate themselves from these exploitations, because they think they would destroy the well-beings, and fames of the families and themselves.

Questioned by Phnom Penh Post, "What are the pressing issues affecting women in Cambodia now" in June 7 – 20, 2002 , Her Excellency Mu Sochua, Minister for Women’s and Veteran’s Affairs answered, "Society has to change its mentality. A woman's role is not just about raising children, being a good mother, the mother of the universe. The man's role is also about being the father of the universe. For the woman it is about making safe choices for herself and not letting anyone else make those choices. Does she have a chance to say: 'No, that is not the man I want to marry' or 'I want to stay in school'? If those choices are open to men they should also be open to women. It is the only way for long-term development in Cambodia . Look at garment factory workers, the majority of whom are women. They don't have choices and in the next five years if they stay in the same position without anyone to help them increase their capacity, education and skills they will be kicked out and replaced and left on their own." Such a social mentality may probably the most appropriate answer to "why women almost always lag behind men in social participation?"

Girls are thought as more grateful, caring to parents than boys, so it is boy's absolute opportunity to pursue education, if the schools are too far away from home or if the family can support only one child's education.

Stereotype of Cambodian Literature

In teaching Cambodian literature, most stories narrate about main male characters as the brave, intelligent, creative, loyal men, and female main characters are usually excellent housewives. This is one of the elements that have extremely discouraged the Cambodian women, and step by step have inserted into Cambodian women’s mentality. Story is one of the most effective means to psychological education for Cambodian people, so turning Cambodian stories into better gender balance would dramatically contribute to gender equity.

Besides this, in the past Cambodia, most or all of education centers were located in the pagodas, and most of the students were male, so female students were strongly discouraged by the majority of the male students.

What Can Be Done?

As stated previously, gender inequality has been in children's mind since they are at the very young age. So girls must be given equal treatment and opportunities from the very beginning, as stated by World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children.

Gender discrimination was instigated in the family, so there should be programs to explain the parents or heads of the families the values of education to girls, what would affect the girls' future, and the nation as the whole.

Turning the drafted law related to women’s protection into reality. As Mu Sochua stated, "saying 'yes I understand I have rights' is not enough." She continued: "But how are women going to use them when they have fewer choices than boys and less chance to stay through school all the way to tertiary level?"

Families and government should try their utmost to alleviate discrimination in the field of education such as:

schools, specially programs and training programs open only to boys and men; higher paid, higher status teaching positions open only to male educators; testing methods biased in favor of boys (e.g,. questions that reflect the interest and vocabulary of most boys). And remove discrimination against women in all two levels:

At work and in the community At work where they are exploited more than men and given unskilled jobs or lower wages than men. Imagine if you were a woman, living in Cambodia : What would be your most pressing difficulties, and what would be your highest desires? How would you handle those hardships?

About The Author

Lay Vicheka, Cambodian, is now Author and Expert Authors for different websites around the world. Contact: 855 11 268 445, Email: vichekalay@yahoo.com. Any question about Cambodian laws, politics, society and other affairs are welcome.

OUR ASSOCIATES
SITES

TECACENTRE.NET COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS A HEAP OF INFO HAVE YOUR SAY AND MORE

tecacentre.net

GAMES A PLENTY at TECACENTRE.NET

tecacentre games, Frogger, shooting, golf, bowling and more

SUBMIT YOUR ARTICLES AND INFORMATIVE ARTICLES A PLENTY TO ENLIGHTEN YOU

the-doctors.info solutions and articles

LIVE SOLUTIONS BOOK BY EMAIL FOR AN APPOINTMENT AND ARTICLES A PLENTY

aussiess.info solutions and articles

SUBMIT YOUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FOR TESTING TO ENLIGHTEN YOU ON HOW TO BECOME THE BEST and for everything that is best

thebestisit.com for everything that is best

Don't forget ausis great mate...

Post Comments Queries or Suggestions on our
ausis.info Bulletin Board
Email: ausisit@gmail.com
ausis WIKI Our ausis WIKI pages were you can communicate with us or others!!

psycheclone

The owners of this site are to be held harmless as each individual that posts hereon is responsible for their own comments. Please note that any mention of any trademarks, names, products etc are the property of the original owners/holders. Use of this site is based on you agreeing to waive any and all claims against the publisher and associated businesses or owners of this site. Site owners will not be held liable for any actions or third party actions that maybe encountered using this site. This is due to the fact that this site is based on and for a community effort to help keep peace. Your own independent legal advice should be gained on subjects listed hereon prior to using them for your own use, these and other terms may apply and must be read in conjunction with the full terms, available on request.

Share this article

GET ONLINE WITH AUSIS

HAVE A NICE DAY WE WISH YOU LUCK

OUR ASSOCIATESSITES

Don't forget ausis great mate...

We wish to THANKYOU for your visit and hope you return soon.

HAVE A NICE DAY
WE WISH YOU LUCK

OUR ASSOCIATES
SITES