The Cambodian NGO Committee on CEDAW

NGO-CEDAW Hosts National Forum on Violence Against Women

On August 20, 2015, NGO-CEDAW hosted a national forum in partnership with CCIM, CYN, and IDEA with the support of UN Women.  Nearly 200 people attended the event on the topic of improving women’s access to justice in a plural (formal and informal) legal system.   The event included speeches by survivors of violence who shared their experiences.  A drama illustrating attitudes toward domestic violence and solutions was presented.  There was also a panel discussion and question and answer session with CSOs and the chief of Amliang Commune, Kampong, Speu.

NGO-CEDAW chairperson Dr. Pung Chhiv Kek gave a keynote speech on the importance of breaking the cycle of violence against women, particularly by acknowledging that all violence against women is serious and should be dealt with under formal written laws.  Too often in Cambodia, physical, emotional, financial and sexual violence against women is treated as a family problem or sent to informal mediation, and no written report is ever made with police or the court.  The violence against women is a form of abuse – the intent is to exert control over women, denying their fundamental human rights and dignity.  When the culture refuses to punish abusers, they continue their abuse, growing worse and worse until a women is dead.  Moreover, the violence is perpetuated when children see it go unpunished.  The boys think it is normal to control women and the girls think that they have to accept it.  To truly reduce violence, good laws must be implemented as early as possible in the cycle of abuse to protect women and prevent more violence.

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