The Women Who Lift Up Cambodia: International Women’s Day 2025 – Rights, Equality, Empowerment for All Women and Girls

"Women work hard and rarely complain. Women at home do everything—raising children, cooking, cleaning, and running businesses—all from morning until night. Yet, their work often goes unrecognised."  These words from Long San, a 66-year-old small business owner in Kampong Speu, reflect the reality for many women across Cambodia, even amidst the progress that has been made.

On this International Women's Day, we celebrate the farmers, migrant workers, business owners, caregivers, peacekeepers, health workers and midwives and elders—the everyday heroes of Cambodia. Though their stories are often unheard, their resilience is the foundation of our communities. Under the theme "For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment," we recognise a reality: the women who lift up Cambodia continue to face challenges to recognition, equality, and the full exercise of their rights.

PROGRESS AND PERSISTENT BARRIERS 

Despite their invaluable contributions, Cambodian women remain underrepresented in leadership. While progress has been made—such as a government decree requiring that one in three village leaders be women—significant disparities persist. In 2020, women held 21 percent of National Assembly seats and 16 percent of Senate seats. However, their representation declined after the 2023 elections, falling to 13 percent in parliament. Women now account for only 10 percent of Ministers and 15 percent of Secretaries or Under Secretaries of State, despite making up 42 percent of the civil service.

Chhin Savy, one of Cambodia’s few female Commune Chiefs, exemplifies both progress and resilience. “I hope to see more women in leadership in the future,” she asserts. “Women are just as capable as men and deserve equal pay.” Her perspective highlights an urgent truth: greater women’s representation is not just about fairness; it strengthens governance. “If more women hold leadership roles, it will benefit the country. Women understand family well-being and excel at resolving community conflicts.”

INVISIBLE LABOUR

From political leadership to economic survival, Cambodian women perform essential but often invisible labour. Nowhere is this more evident than among the 1.1 million Cambodian migrant workers abroad—nearly half of whom are women. The money they send back home is a lifeline for their families and communities, contributing over $3 billion in 2021, and nearly 5 per cent of Cambodia’s GDP.

Pin Sreynoun, a Cambodian migrant worker in Thailand, explains the delicate balance she maintains: “I work as a gardener, which gives me time to cook for my family and handle my work at home.” While she benefits from fair conditions, many others do not. Despite the sustained efforts of the Cambodian government, NGOs, and UN agencies to promote safe migration, women migrant workers continue to face significant challenges, including exploitation, poor legal protections, and limited access to essential services. 

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND RESILIENCE

Women who remain in Cambodia often navigate their own economic struggles, running businesses while facing financial and social constraints. Women small business owners are the backbone of Cambodia’s economy, with 84.1 per cent  of women engaged in the labour force and owning most micro-enterprises. Yet, they grapple with persistent barriers—gender pay gaps, restricted access to credit, and limited social protection.      

Long San, a small business owner from Kampong Speu, captures these challenges: “Sometimes I lose money in my business. Unlike factory workers, I don’t have a fixed salary or weekends off. My days are always busy.” Beyond financial challenges, women entrepreneurs also bear a disproportionate burden of household chores. “Women work hard and hardly complain,” she says. “But it’s not fair. In my village, women are always working. I want to see men value and respect women more.”

WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE

The undervaluation of women’s work extends to the agricultural sector. Women make up over 40 per cent of Cambodia’s agricultural workforce. While girls and women farmers have gained more recognition and opportunities in Cambodia over the past two decades, they still face limited access to leadership roles and land ownership. Climate change further exacerbates these challenges, making farming more unpredictable.

For Duek Da, a farmer and early adopter of climate-resilient irrigation, these difficulties are part of daily life. “Even when I’m exhausted, I have to keep going. If I don’t work hard, I won’t have vegetables to sell.” With support from the UN’s EmPower: Women for Climate-Resilient Societies programme she invested in a solar water pump, ensuring a reliable water supply while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Her resilience, coupled with access to the right resources, underscores a larger truth: when women farmers have the necessary tools, they drive food security and economic growth. “People say I am a strong woman because I work hard to support my children’s education. To me, it’s normal for women to work both at home and outside. I’ve done it my whole life.”

MAKING ALL VOICES HEARD

Women journalists in Cambodia play a vital role in fostering a more inclusive and accountable media landscape and producing critical information for citizens to make informed decisions. Yet their voices remain disproportionately underrepresented - despite making up half of the population, women account for only 8.7 per cent of accredited journalists, and just five per cent of news stories exclusively feature female voices. Even more concerning, gender-based violence - an issue affecting countless Cambodian women - receives only one per cent of media coverage, while sexual violence is addressed in a mere 0.05 per cent of news reports. This silence perpetuates harm and limits significant progress.

When women lead in journalism, they bring critical social issues to light, challenging harmful social norms and biases and ensuring all voices are heard. Studies show that gender-diverse newsrooms produce more balanced and representative reporting, fostering stronger public trust in the media. As Hang Samphors, Chair of the Cambodian Female Journalists emphasises, “When women are more involved in the media, women’s issues will be better presented, discussed and addressed. Empowering women in media does not just benefit one woman, it benefits her family, communities, and the entire society.”

ADVANCING EDUCATION

Cambodia has made significant strides in advancing girls' education, recognising it as a fundamental right and a catalyst for transforming society. Educating girls not only empowers individuals, but it also creates a ripple effect of positive change throughout communities—reducing poverty, improving maternal health and child mortality rates, and decreasing violence against women and girls. 

Cambodia’s commitment to gender equality in education is evident in its approach. The national curriculum now incorporates gender and women’s rights, and policies actively encourage female participation at all levels of education. Cambodia also recognises the vital role of well-trained, qualified, and motivated teachers in improving student learning.

Role models like Prum Sopheany, a teacher trainer at the Preah Vihear Provincial Teacher Training Centre, embody this progress. She proudly states, "I am honoured and confident to contribute to teacher education reform in Cambodia by providing high-quality training to future primary school teachers and enhancing children's learning in Cambodia." With women making up 60.5 per cent of Cambodia’s teaching workforce, they are undeniably shaping the nation’s future, driving positive change, and ensuring Cambodian girls have equal opportunities to reach their full potential.

PEACEKEEPING WOMEN

Women are breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields like peacekeeping. Globally, as of 2022, women comprised 7.9 per cent of military, police, justice, and corrections personnel in field missions—a significant increase from just one per cent in 1993. Cambodia is a leader in this area, being the top contributor of women peacekeepers among ASEAN Member States.

"A society without women is a society without progress," says Colonel Sorm Leangy, a Cambodian peacekeeper stationed with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.

Women peacekeepers bring a unique perspective to conflict resolution and play a crucial role in ensuring the needs of women and children are addressed, particularly in combating gender-based violence (GBV). "War brings only destruction and pain, but peace brings prosperity and happiness," Colonel Leangy emphasises, highlighting the importance of women's involvement in creating a more inclusive and sustainable peace.

From global peace efforts to local healthcare, women are also taking charge in ensuring safe childbirth—an essential right for all.

‘CROSSING THE RIVER’ 

A woman's ability to make decisions about her own body and health is fundamental to her empowerment. In Cambodia, midwives like Seng Ratana stand as guardians of this principle, navigating the complexities of childbirth to ensure safe deliveries, often in challenging circumstances. 

"In Khmer, childbirth is called 'Crossing the River,'" Seng Ratana from the Sraem Health Centre explains. "It's a journey that requires preparation, strength, and support. Seeing a mother and child safe after a difficult delivery is the greatest reward." Midwives like Ratana provide crucial care, ensuring women’s right to safe and respectful childbirth.

UNPAID CARE WORK  

Yet, the most pervasive gender imbalance lies within unpaid care work. Women shoulder 90 per cent of unpaid domestic and caregiving labour, limiting their economic opportunities. The limited availability of public childcare services compounds this burden, particularly for older women who often become primary caregivers.

Chum Chhoeun, a grandmother raising her grandchildren while their parents work in Phnom Penh’s garment industry, highlights this issue: “People think staying at home is easy, but it’s not! Women prepare food, care for the household, and still go out to work. Sometimes they’re late with meals, and people blame them—it’s unfair.”

Her call for change is clear: “Men should help their wives with household chores. Our country is moving forward, and families need to adapt.”

AMPLIFYING VOICES, DRIVING CHANGE IN CAMBODIA

The women of Cambodia are calling for change, not just for themselves, but for their families, communities, and the country as a whole. The United Nations stands with them, championing gender equality as a fundamental human right and a key element of sustainable development. Through its agencies the UN advances women's rights by combating discrimination, promoting gender equality through policy change, and empowering women with education, economic opportunities, and promoting women’s leadership and representation.

However, true transformation requires collective action. Policymakers must enforce gender-responsive legislation and policies and continue to invest in gender-sensitive plans of action. Businesses must foster inclusive workplaces and champion women-led enterprises. Communities must challenge discriminatory norms and promote shared caregiving responsibilities. And every individual can play a role in amplifying women’s voices and challenging gender biases.

In the words of Duek Da, “I hope to see more women confidently expressing their voices. Women shouldn’t be confined to household work; they should have the opportunity to share their skills and talents.”

This International Women’s Day, we must not only recognise the contributions of Cambodian women but also commit to systemic change. When women rise, Cambodia rises with them.