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(10).  Gender and Women's Participation

In Section 3.4., the NPRS observes  that “Poverty cannot be reduced unless policies and programs address the situation of Cambodian women. This is a gender issue, which cuts across many other sectoral issues.

In Section 4.6. (Promoting Gender Equity), the NPRS indicates that “gender equity principles have been linked to the proposed sectoral interventions, and that gender disparities must be understood and reflected in all aspects of policy planning and development, and that interventions must address the barriers to women making the most of opportunities …“ The NPRS further observes that “gender mainstreaming will be ineffective as a strategy if it is not supported by budget allocations for interventions…” and also refers to the need to promote women’s participation in sectoral consultations and representation at all levels of government.

NPRS Objective, Indicators, and Targets:

• “Mainstream gender issues in all government departments, particularly health,” through gender research and analysis, cross-sector training in gender analysis, budgeting, planning, monitoring and evaluation, participation of women in policy and decision positions. A core group will ensure that gender mainstreaming is practices and that line ministries address gender disparities. Aims for 20% increase in women decisions makers at all levels of government.

• “Ensure women’s and girls legal protection and community awareness of gender issues” by adopting new laws (e.g., domestic violence and anti-trafficking), amending gender-biased laws (e.g., labour laws); and providing gender training to judiciary and law enforcement agencies/. The general aim is to “lower the incidence of domestic violence and human trafficking.

• “Raise community awareness about gender issues” by conducting public awareness campaigns;

• “Ensure equal access to rights of women to economic resources and opportunities, and equitable participation in national decision making, development planning, and poverty reduction process” by creating alternative livelihood opportunities, increase women’s access to land, SME training and credit, 50% membership in farmer associations, and promoting women’s leadership in politics, trade unions, and public services. The indicators in these areas are percentage increases in the number of women entrepreneurs and workers, land titles, training programs; expand micro-credit to all provinces; and the percentage of women in legislature & senior positions; as well as (budget?} support for women in TUs and businesses.

Specific reference to the situation of women and gender issues and concerns are included throughout the NPRS in sections dealing with health, education, social exclusion, and vulnerability, as well as rural livelihoods and problems associated with access to and control over productive assets. For example, the section concerning HIV/AIDs makes extensive reference to the situation of women, including references to particularly vulnerable women, such as HIV positive women and those women caring for HIV positive patients, as well as women caring for disabled adults.

NGO Action:

The NGO CG Statement encourages “the analysis of gender-specific impacts … at the policy at the policy formulation and implementation phases of reform programs.”

• Monitor development legislation concerning domestic violence, trafficking, and labour and employment, as well as the enforcement of such laws;
• Research/analysis concerning women and girls in sectors and geographic areas where working, with particular focus on social service indicators pertaining to education and health, as well as women’s access to and control over productive resources (e.g., land and credit), human rights, and access to legal protection;
• Monitor women’s participation in decision-making and governance, with particular emphasis at the community and commune level in areas where working;
• Continue community/policy awareness of social issues of concern to women, such as drug/substance abuse among youth, mental health, domestic violence, sexual exploitation/trafficking, and labour and employment;
• Incorporate the GAD Gender Scorecard into the NPRS monitoring processing in all relevant sectors in the context of the APRI;
• Monitor role of women in the coming National Election, including the number of women candidates.

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