Call To Break the Silence on Int?l Women?s Day

To coincide with today?s celebration of the 99th International Women?s Day, officials honored the achievements of Cambodian women but drew attention to their continuing vulnerability to violence.

The Ministry of Women?s Affairs marked the public holiday Thursday at the Royal University of Phnom Penh. There, Prime Minister Hun Sen Spoke on the contribution of women to society but also acknowledge challenges. ?Any discrimination, violence and trafficking suffered by women is not just a pain for a single woman, single family or single community, but it is a tragedy for the whole society,? the premier said in his speech.

SRP lawmaker and former minister of women?s affairs Mu sochua wrote in an editorial on Friday that today?s commemoration was an opportunity to address the rising rate of gender-based violence. ?On International Women?s Day, let us break the chains of silence? Our current silence to violence against women keeps us in fear and in the state of submission and we provide no justice to the victims of gender based violence,? she wrote.

Sy Dedine, secretary of state at the Women?s Affairs Ministry, said yesterday that rape was a ?worry? but lamented the lack of accurate statistics. ?We have seen lots of statistics provides by civil societies, but there is no official statistic to announce the increase,? she said.

Chea Vannath, a political analyst, said the status of Cambodian women is illustrated by a Khmer saying stating men are made from gold while women are white cloth, easily stained and damaged. This damage could be caused by having an affair and even by sexual assault, she said. ?Being a woman is a kind of double-edged sword,? Ms Vannath said. ?In Cambodian society she is consider the leader of the family? At the same time there is discrimination.? Perceptions are changing, however, especially in urban areas, she said.

Sourced = The Cambodia Daily