Australia to Give $950,000 to Help Cambodia Curb Violence Against Women in Siem Reap and Battambang

MEDIA RELEASE
PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY
TO THE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
THE HON GREG HUNT MP

AA 07 012 8 March 2007

Australia to Give $950,000 to Help Cambodia Curb Violence Against Women

To mark International Women's Day Australia will support efforts to reduce violence against women in Cambodia, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Greg Hunt, announced today.

'Australia, through our international aid agency, AusAID, will provide $950,000 for programs to reduce violence against women in two Cambodian provinces, Siem Reap and Battambang,' Mr Hunt said.

Mr Hunt made the announcement at a special United Nations Development Fund for Women breakfast in Melbourne today.

'The Australian Government's gender policy for the aid program, released just last week, recognises the link between domestic violence and the unequal economic and social status of women in many countries, including in the Asia-Pacific region,' he said.

'Guided by the policy, Australia will support efforts to reduce domestic violence, increase women's access to health care and education, and enable greater participation by women in decision-making and representation in public office.

'Eliminating discrimination, including violence against women, is central to the Australian aid program. Every woman has the right to be respected and to live without fear of domestic violence.

'Domestic violence is widespread in Cambodia with the International Women's Development Agency estimating that one-quarter of Cambodian women aged 15 to 49 experience the problem.

'Our funding will enable two Cambodian non-government organisations, Banteay Srei and the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association, to provide greater support services for abused women.

'Research shows that discrimination and violence against women prevent them from exercising their rights and achieving social and economic development and equality, and stunt economic growth and prosperity.

'Violence against women not only takes a heavy toll on women at a personal level but also imposes an economic impost in the form of health care costs, time off paid work and loss of productive work in the home,' Mr Hunt said.

The $950,000 funding will be utilised through the International Women's Development Agency.

Media contacts:
John Deller (Mr Hunt's Office) 0400 496 596
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590