The Issue
Cambodian women remain at high risk of gender-based violence (GBV), with up to 25% of ever-partnered women having experienced physical or sexual abuse. At the same time, (LGBTQ) individuals face routine inequalities due to discriminatory societal norms. Though these marginalized groups have in recent years taken encouraging steps toward claiming their rights to equality, more work is needed to increase the efficacy of their advocacy and to overturn cultural stereotypes so their messages can be heard.
The Project
The project worked to increase the capacities of women and LGBTQ individuals to claim their rights, while simultaneously increasing local authorities’ knowledge of relevant legal frameworks and tackling public perceptions through school and media-based campaigns.
The Change
Key activities included:
- Starting of support groups & networks for women and LGBTQ activists
- Training of local authorities on gender rights and legal frameworks
- Promotion of dialogue on gender equality via art and photo exhibitions, a national media campaign (radio, TV, online) and debate events
- Piloting of art-based GBV curriculum in primary and secondary schools; hosting of behavior-change interventions for university students
- Monitoring of local and national compliance with international gender rights frameworks (CEDAW, ICCPR)
- Conduction of media monitoring and publishing of professional and citizen journalist reports on gender issues
- Provision of emergency support to women and LGBTQ activists
- Administration of sub-grants for small NGOs and grassroots groups to conduct local behavior-change interventions and monitoring
About the project
Period: March 2018 – February 2022
Budget: EUR 2 million
Main Donor: The European Union
