CAMBODIAN WOMEN'S DECLARATION
ON THE
92ND ANNIVERSARY OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
8TH MARCH 2002
We need to acknowledge that discrimination and violence (trafficking, domestic violence and rape) against women and children is a global problem that affects women of all ages, race, ethnicity, ideology and class and is not acceptable. It is the ultimate obstacle and impedes the efficiency and effectiveness to women's full and equal participation in social, economic, cultural and political activities and is an offence against all notions of universal human rights.
Cambodian women, 52% of the population, are concerned about violence against women and children and on behalf of all women we would like to appeal to leaders at all levels to:
Recognize that the elimination of violence and discrimination against women and children is essential to develop a foundation based on respect for women and children's human rights. The elimination of violence is the foundation for development on the basis of equality, equity and peace.
Ensure that the national sectoral development policies be based on the principles of empowerment, enabling and giving a voice to women to prevent all forms of violence.
Quickly prosecute criminal acts of violence against women and children in order to reduce and prevent further violent acts and protect the victims. However, laws and law enforcement alone are not enough. A holistic strategy is needed incorporating legal mechanisms and strengthening co-operation of government with civil society, including development agencies.
Increase and target investment towards widening opportunities for economic development for woman, especially those with disabilities 'in all sectors by prioritizing and taking gender equality and equity measures to encourage and promote the role of women in policy and decision making at all levels of the legislative, executive and judicial systems.
Promote the media to present positive rather than negative images of women.
We also appeal to all Cambodian families, both women and men together:
To preserve and promote women, especially those with disabilities and children as valued precious gems.
To prevent all forms of violence in families, communities and society.
To change social attitudes and practices which downgrade women, especially those with disabilities: their value, integrity and happiness in the family and society.
To change social attitudes and practices which downgrade women, especially those with disabilities: their value, integrity and happiness in the family and society.
To promote the positive values of Cambodian culture, integrity and morals and end the sexual objectification of women and girls as sexual objects.
We come with one, single voice on this special occasion, the 92nd anniversary of International Women's Day. We call upon all women and men to join with us in this movement "Building together a society for women and children free of violence". This movement will continue till there is a change in social attitudes and there are positive practices towards women.
Phnom Penh, 4"' March 2002
SPEECH BY
H.E. MU SOCHUA, MINISTER
OF MINISTRY OF WOMEN'S AND VETERANS'AFFAIRS
ON THE
92ND ANNIVERSARY OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
8TH MARCH 2002
Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen and Lok Chumteav Bun Rany Hun Sen
Your Royal Highness
Your Excellencies members of Senate, Assembly and Government
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and gentlemen
Today is a great, exciting and proud occasion for all Cambodian women celebrating the 92 ,d Anniversary of International Women's Day, 8'h March 2002 presided over by Samdech Prime Minister and Lok Chumteav at the Council of Ministers. The core theme of the celebrations is "Building together a society for women and children free of violence". On behalf of all Cambodian women, I would like to extend deep thanks for the warm welcome by Samdech Prime Minister and Lok Chumteay.
Samdech Prime Minister, on behalf of all Cambodian women, allow isle to take this special opportunity to extend my appreciation to Her Majesty, the Queen, Norodom Monineath Sihanouk in her role as the Honorary President of the Cambodian National Council for Women (CNCW) and Samdech Prime Minister, the Honorary Vice President. CNCW has been established for one year and is committed to promote and ensure gender equality and equity by implementing the "Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women" that Cambodia signed in 1980.
Please Samdech Prime Minister I would like to inform you that the national report drafted by twelve relevant ministries is being reviewed by the CNCW before it is submitted to a meeting of ministers for approval.
Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen and Lok Chumteav Bun Rany Hun Sen
Your Royal Highness
Your Excellencies
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and gentlemen
Moving towards achieving the theme of this year's International Women's Day celebration, "Building together a society for women and children free of violence", the Ministry of Women's and Veterans' Affairs has been actively implementing government policies though the national programme "Neary Rattanak".
To implement this programme, the Ministry is conducting a broad programme on laws related to women's and children's rights through building capacity of police and local authorities, providing drama shows at community levels and regular drama broadcasts on television and radio. This programme also aims to build the capacity of the Ministry's staff to intervene with local authorities to protect and provide support services and security for victims.
Trafficking in women and children is a major problem which the Government is trying to eliminate when promoting the status of women and children and changing social attitudes in Cambodia. As well the Ministry of Women's and Veterans' Affairs has been trying to eliminate the use of the internet to promote sexual tours and prosecute those using the trafficking network to traffic and exploit women and children.
The Ministry extends its thanks to the management teams of other government institutions who are committed to eliminate all forms of violence against women's human rights.
Through the national programme for administration reform, the Ministry has included a strategy to encourage and promote gender equity through its Building Together Programme which includes training on advocacy, information dissemination and practical measures to enable women to access leadership- positions and to reduce the gaps between men and women in all institutions.
In addition, the introduction of centralization and decentralization systems in promoting gender equality and equity to strengthen local governance has provided women with wide opportunities to be candidates for commune councils. As a result of these actions, out of 12,000 women candidates, over 900 women were selected to be commune councillors throughout the country.
We are all proud to see this outcome and would like to take this great opportunity to congratulate women in their new positions.
Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen and Lok Chumteav Bun Rany Hun Sen
Your Royal Highness
Your Excellencies
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and gentlemen
On this occasion, on behalf of the Ministry of Women's and Veterans' Affairs and the Cambodian women network I also would like to thank you, Samdech Prime Minister for your intervention, coordination and advice in protecting the rights and worth of women and children as well as striving to eliminate violence against women and children.
We know that you stress in your speeches that if we "help men we can help women" and we used this phrase to inform the drafting of the law on the prevention of domestic violence and the protection of victims. The new draft law provides for perpetrators, mainly men, the opportunity to access support services, education and time to change their attitudes. The draft law also protects the positive values of Cambodian families and the quality of life for girls enabling them to access further education and greater care from their parents and guardians. Cambodian families will once again provide good foundations for their children as they did in "the Royal People Regime" under the reign of the King.
Cambodian women extend their thanks to you, Samdech Prime Minister for your approval of the guidelines for the establishment of farming and water resource management communities. These guidelines assist all people including women, half of the population, to own their agricultural production, water resources and natural resources.
We, Cambodian women also think that through our newly elected commune councillors we will strengthen our poorer communities, encourage their participation in development as well as provide access to a fair share of benefits from development in order to fight against poverty which is the root of violence.
On this occasion, on behalf of Cambodian women I would like to thank all people for their commitment to the efforts of building peace and integrity where women are free from fear, poverty and vulnerability. We expect to see the draft law on the prevention of domestic violence and the _protection for victims be adopted. The German government recently stated that they are ready to support the Ministry of Women's and Veterans' Affairs launch of an outreach programme on the draft law and they will also provide legal support services to the victims. At the same time, other donors have confirmed their support to the Ministry of Women's and- Veterans' Affairs for the implementation of the project on the prevention of trafficking of women and children, the Partnership for Gender Equity and building the capacity of women in commune councils.
I also wish to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks for the generous contribution and support from Oxfam GB; Oxfam America; Save the Children- France, UK, Norway and Australia; Care International; UNFPA;'UNIFEM and CIDSE.
Finally, once again, let me reiterate my greatest thanks to Samdech Prime Minister and Lok Chumteav for your stand on securing justice for victims. I would like to wish you and Lok Chumteav, your children and your granddaughter happiness and also I wish you, Samdech Prime Minister, success in moving Cambodia towards progress and development.
I extend my warmest welcome and am very grateful for your attendance today and wish you all happiness and success.
Thank you.
Phnom Penh, 4th March 2002
SPEECH BY
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN NORODOM MONINEATH SIHANOUK
ON THE
92ND ANNIVERSARY OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
8TH MARCH 2002
My beloved people,
l am extremely happy to join with all Cambodian women to celebrate the 92nd Anniversary of International Women's Day, 8'h March 2002 which is for the greater benefits of our women.
'On this occasion, I would like to convey His Majesty, the King, Norodom Sihanouk's heart felt concerns and best wishes to all Cambodian women who are celebrating the 92 d Anniversary of International Women's Day, 8'h March. The King appreciates that this celebration shows respect for and recognition of Cambodian women's great worth and that it acknowledges their place in the global women's movement.
I am very glad about the effort made by government institutions at all levers, to enhance the status of Cambodian women regardless of belief, religion, race and class. These committed initiatives are informed by His Majesty's philosophy that women, whom His Majesty the King regards as his daughters, grand-daughters and great grand-daughters, are of great worth. He believed this in the past (The Royal People Regime) and still believes this today. Cambodian women have the right to build their capacity and status to be equal with men in both government and private sectors. Women have strived against famine and illiteracy to improve their family's welfare and increase their participation in national development. Women throughout the ages have achieved greatness and they should be acknowledged and honored so they become role models for Cambodian women today and in the future.
In spite of the above effort, women still face constraints in their lives such as poverty, vulnerability to domestic violence, physical and psychological abuses, trafficking and family economic pressures. These pressures have caused a decrease in women's and girls' status, integrity and hopes and also have caused the break up of families, raining their children's future.
Having seen these impacts, we must together prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women in order to build a safe and well-developed society for women. In particular, we should focus on women in rural and local briskness who are capable of being equal partners with men in national development, so they are given equal access to freedom, democracy, politics, science and technical skills.
On behalf of the Honorary President for the Cambodian National Council for Women, I wish to thank the Ministry of Women's and Veterans' Affairs for their efforts in the implementation of the national programme "Neary Rattanak", building capacity of women to reduce poverty, prevent trafficking, eliminate the spread of HIVIAIDS and enabling them to become a valued human resource in development in all sectors.
On this special occasion, I extend my great appreciation to the Royal Government of Cambodia, and especially Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen for his efforts in facilitating and enabling all Cambodian women to enjoy and exercise their rights in general and in particular, during the elections for commune councillors conducted on 3d February 2002 where women were given encouragement and opportunities to participate as stated in the laws.
I sincerely thank all Cambodian women for their increased participation in the commune elections. I was very proud of this increased participation by women to be commune candidates.
I extend my great thanks to our venerable monks, all citizens and national and international organizations for their contribution in the rehabilitation and development of the status of women.
I hope the Royal Government will continue taking measures to provide education, health training services and promote the basic freedoms in a partnership across all sectors to ensure women's voices are beard in community and national development. I also hope the draft law on "the Prevention of Domestic Violence and the Protection of the Victims" will be adopted by the legislative bodies both by the Senate and the National Assembly to achieve peace, freedom, democracy and happiness for our Cambodian families.
On behalf of His Majesty the King Norodom Sihanouk and myself, I offer our support for all activities by government institutions, non-government organizations and all citizens aiming to promote the role and status of Cambodian women enabling them to fully participate in preserving and building their society. I also support the continuing movement:
"Building together a society for women and children free of violence"
which was initiated and implemented last year by the Ministry of Women's and Veterans' Affairs.
At the same time, I also appreciate the continuous efforts by all Cambodian women to be ready and able to contribute to the development of all sectors so that once again they will be valued as major participants in Cambodian history.
I wish all women in Cambodia and in the world happiness and success.
Finally, I wish all management teams in government institutions at all national and sub- national levels the five greatest Buddhist wishes: longevity, wealth, health, strength and development,