This study uses the narratives of four Cambodian women aged in their fifties and from rural areas, to illustrate the diverse strategies they apply to overcome obstacles faced in their role as commune councillors. Cultural gender norms, hierarchical social structures and a patriarchal political culture dominated by party affiliation at the expense of individual candidate merits, create the common base that these women operate in. The study identifies core character traits and dispositions of each woman and considers these in relation to the historical and political transformation to better understand their political motivation. This helps to identify distinct political motivations and also serves to highlight how these women have reconstructed their gender identities, in response to socio economic and political shifts in a transforming society. It further analyses the role of a local nongovernment organisation and the extent to which it has contributed to women’s engagement in local politics.

The study concludes that the four women have developed different coping strategies to address traditional marginalisation from public political roles. These are informed by political motivation that has been influenced by family relationships; community engagement and activism; and experiences of personal humiliation and discrimination. Civil society organisations have also played a key role in the realisation of these motivations and in assisting women to manage their conflicting identities as they engage in the public political sphere whilst continuing to play their role in the private sphere. The findings have important implications for democracy assistance practitioners and policy makers in terms of highlighting the need to recognize and work with diverse and individual political motivations to better understand the impact of and response to gender socialisation in women’s engagement in politics.

The full report can be accessed on request from Banteay Srei through email: [email protected]