Lack of will fuels state gender gap: report

Thursday, 03 February 2011
Vong Sokheng and Summer Walker
The Phnom Penh Post

The training of female candidates and elected officials is key.

Political parties and government officials must work harder to promote women in politics if they want to shrink the gender gap in local and national government, according to a report released by local election monitor COMFREL on Tuesday.

The report, Politics of Gender and Providing Political Power to Women, finds that a lack of political determination continues to hinder the empowerment of women in the political arena.

Based on research conducted in Kampong Speu, Kampong Cham and Phnom Penh in December, researchers found that women hold 22 percent of the seats in the National Assembly and constitute 20 percent of elected officials at the commune level as a result of the 2008 elections.

The report said there are 169 female deputy governors serving at the district and commune levels nationwide, and 12 percent of city, district, commune and provincial councillors are women.

SRP MP Mu Sochua's Holiday Letter - Serving the People: Raising the Voices of Cambodian Women

Serving the People:
Raising the Voices of Cambodian Women

December 2008

MP Mu Sochua walking the campaign trail in summer 2008

Having led my local team to a small victory by bringing in an extra 10,000 votes for my party in less than ten months in 2007, I took the lead in Kampot, one of the 24 provinces in Cambodia, in mid-2008. The back-to-back electoral campaign finally earned me a seat in Parliament in July 2008. As I take time to reflect back on the paths taken on the campaign trail and the promises made during the door-to-door visits to 482 villages, I can only now take a deep breath and look forward to the next five years in my new role as lawmaker and elected representative of the people. None of this could have happened without your continued support for democracy and for a better Cambodia.

MP Mu Sochua discussing issues during door-to-door visits

My party has been working for over a decade to address injustice caused by greed, disrespect for the rule of law, a culture of impunity and corruption that is seriously affecting the lives of the poor. Every year 4,000 Cambodian women die of childbirth. Only 25% of our women deliver their babies at health centers with the assistance of trained midwives, and only 17% of our people have access to clean water. For almost 30 years, the ruling party has told the people to beg for services, while we say to the people that they do not have to beg and that THEY CAN make change by going to the polls.

Forced evictions by soldiers are daily occurrences that terrorize citizens and leave them homeless and destitute. Those evicted most often are female-headed households, which are the most vulnerable to physical attacks and threats or other intimidation tactics. Villagers are now organizing and speaking up, even if they face detention. Women are most vocal.

MP Mu Sochua visits a paralyzed woman denied quality health services

The economic crisis is affecting our construction workers, farmers and garment factory workers, the majority of whom are young rural women. In the meantime, the government increases the budget for defense and national security. As a lawmaker, I argue against these policies and call for more funds for the social sector and access to quality services. As a woman and as a member of the opposition, it is a huge challenge to be vocal knowing that every move I make is recorded and reported.

In the next five years, I hope to bring more young women into politics and to empower the voices of Cambodian women, vital voices, as well as being a part of a grassroots force to make real change. Many grassroots women's movements have inspired me and made me believe that WE CAN.

In closing, I wish to sincerely thank you for believing in me and for being there to make the fight a bit easier.

My real present for Christmas is the joy of being with my three daughters in Kenya. They have all grown to be young women, defining their own beliefs in justice and feminism.

Candles burn brightly for the Sam Rainsy Party and the Cambodian people

I send you my very best wishes, and may 2009 bring you and your loved ones sweet success, good health and great joy.

Mu Sochua
Member of Parliament