Gender politics
Technically women in Cambodia were granted equality in 1955 and in 1958 a woman was elected to the National Assembly. Tong Siv Eng held two ministerial positions - social action and health and after the Khmer Rouge she played a vital role in brokering peace which led to the 1991 Paris Peace Accords.
During the Khmer Rouge's reign, women held various positions in the Government but virtually all were nepotistic appointments and showed a need and desire to keep power within the family -
Pol Pot's wife, Khieu Ponnary, was head of the Association of Democratic Khmer Women and her younger sister, Khieu Thirith, served as minister of social action. These two women are considered among the half-dozen most powerful personalities in Democratic Kampuchea. Son Sen's wife, Yun Yat, served as minister for culture, education and learning. Several of Pol Pot's nephews and nieces were given jobs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. One of Ieng Sary's daughters was appointed head of the Calmette Hospital although she had not graduated from secondary school. A niece of Ieng Sary was given a job as English translator for Radio Phnom Penh although her fluency in the language was extremely limited.
In 2004 only 9.8 of the seats in the Cambodian parliament were held by women. However, the political parties are wising up and realising that female candidates are popular. It is a difficult process as the role of Khmer women is not always conducive to politics -
As described in Khmer literature, the Khmer woman, must remain virtuous to uphold the image of her family. She is required to speak softly, walk lightly and be well-mannered at all times. She is required to stay in her home, and serve as the caretaker of the family and preserver of the home. As a young woman, a Khmer woman must be a virgin before she marries and be faithful to her husband after marriage, even though he is allowed to have extramarital affairs. But if a wife is virtuous, he will not need to look elsewhere for happiness. She must be clever and wise by bringing greater wealth and status to her husband. Heavy consequences exist for women who disobey the didactic message directed to them in Khmer literature. Often times the women are punished by rape or end their lives in suicide from shame. Source
It is wonderful that Cambodian women are overcoming cultural difficulties to participate in politics. Indeed the Phnom Penh Post has an article detailing April 1st commune elections
Twice as many female candidates ran in Sunday's commune elections than did in 2002, and the emergence of female candidates is quietly reshaping the Cambodian political landscape.
"As a female candidate it is very hard to persuade citizens to elect you," said Kim Chansopath, council member in Sangkat Boeng Keng Kong I. "As a female commune council member, you have to struggle to convince both men and women that you are able to do this job. [But] there are only two important things in politics: whether you win or lose - not whether you are man or woman."
I take issue with the statement that politics is dirty, corrupt, violent and best left to men even if Nanda contends that this is merely a view. If politics are dirty, corrupt and violent, how does it follow that it is best left to men? After all the women of Cambodia have been on the receiving end of corruption and violence for many years now. There is a certain amount of familiarity with it. I am sure that women will put up of the intimidation and threats of the CPP as well as the men.
Women are changing the face of Khmer politics. If it was truly believed that politics is dirty, corrupt, violent and best left to men then I doubt voters would be clamouring for female candidates. But they are. Women are working locally to represent their communes and showing what can be done. Despite the gendered aspect of the focus areas it is encouraging to see progress.
The article in the Phnom Penh Post finishes with
I believe Cambodia could have a female prime minister," she said. "I see many strong women in Cambodia, women are sometimes stronger than men. I think that in the next three or four years you could have a female candidate for prime minister.
I have serious doubts regarding any change in PM in the next three to four years not only because the incumbent has expressed a desire to remain in the position until his 90th birthday which is in about 3 decades but also because I do not think that the Cambodian people would be willing to accept a female PM yet. It would be a tremendous step for equality but with the current status of women it will take a lot longer than three to four years.
In 2004 only 9.8 of the seats in the Cambodian parliament were held by women. However, the political parties are wising up and realising that female candidates are popular. It is a difficult process as the role of Khmer women is not always conducive to politics -
As described in Khmer literature, the Khmer woman, must remain virtuous to uphold the image of her family. She is required to speak softly, walk lightly and be well-mannered at all times. She is required to stay in her home, and serve as the caretaker of the family and preserver of the home. As a young woman, a Khmer woman must be a virgin before she marries and be faithful to her husband after marriage, even though he is allowed to have extramarital affairs. But if a wife is virtuous, he will not need to look elsewhere for happiness. She must be clever and wise by bringing greater wealth and status to her husband. Heavy consequences exist for women who disobey the didactic message directed to them in Khmer literature. Often times the women are punished by rape or end their lives in suicide from shame. Source
It is wonderful that Cambodian women are overcoming cultural difficulties to participate in politics. Indeed the Phnom Penh Post has an article detailing April 1st commune elections
Twice as many female candidates ran in Sunday's commune elections than did in 2002, and the emergence of female candidates is quietly reshaping the Cambodian political landscape.
"As a female candidate it is very hard to persuade citizens to elect you," said Kim Chansopath, council member in Sangkat Boeng Keng Kong I. "As a female commune council member, you have to struggle to convince both men and women that you are able to do this job. [But] there are only two important things in politics: whether you win or lose - not whether you are man or woman."
"The work is gendered... Women focus on healthcare, education, and other services whereas men focus on infrastructure, law and order, security. But due to the fact the work is gendered, women have become key to commune councils. And as their confidence grows, they are taking on more work."
Over the last five years, voters have become more open to female candidates, and women more eager to participate in politics, Nanda said. Female involvement in local level politics since the 2002 commune elections has helped break down the widely held view that politics is dirty, corrupt, violent and best left to men, she said.
Over the last five years, voters have become more open to female candidates, and women more eager to participate in politics, Nanda said. Female involvement in local level politics since the 2002 commune elections has helped break down the widely held view that politics is dirty, corrupt, violent and best left to men, she said.
I take issue with the statement that politics is dirty, corrupt, violent and best left to men even if Nanda contends that this is merely a view. If politics are dirty, corrupt and violent, how does it follow that it is best left to men? After all the women of Cambodia have been on the receiving end of corruption and violence for many years now. There is a certain amount of familiarity with it. I am sure that women will put up of the intimidation and threats of the CPP as well as the men.
Women are changing the face of Khmer politics. If it was truly believed that politics is dirty, corrupt, violent and best left to men then I doubt voters would be clamouring for female candidates. But they are. Women are working locally to represent their communes and showing what can be done. Despite the gendered aspect of the focus areas it is encouraging to see progress.
The article in the Phnom Penh Post finishes with
I believe Cambodia could have a female prime minister," she said. "I see many strong women in Cambodia, women are sometimes stronger than men. I think that in the next three or four years you could have a female candidate for prime minister.
I have serious doubts regarding any change in PM in the next three to four years not only because the incumbent has expressed a desire to remain in the position until his 90th birthday which is in about 3 decades but also because I do not think that the Cambodian people would be willing to accept a female PM yet. It would be a tremendous step for equality but with the current status of women it will take a lot longer than three to four years.
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