The Problem
The culture of violence that underscored Cambodia’s violent past still bleeds into modern day society. Women, girls, and other marginalized persons begin a lifetime struggle against gender-based violence (GBV) at a very young age: research shows that roughly 6 in 10 Cambodian women suffer from at least one form of violence before age 18. Daily struggles against inequality leave women and girls regularly at risk of intimidation, harassment, psychological and physical violence, and sexual abuse. Legal reforms and policy guidelines now exist demonstrating government commitment to protect and defend the rights of women, girls, and other vulnerable populations in Cambodia. However, government stakeholders responsible for protecting and defending the rights of victims of GBV often remain unwilling, uncoordinated, and without the capacity to fulfill such duties, leaving vulnerable populations still at-risk and without access to the quality support services they need to stay safe.
WHI's Solution
Since 2016 WHI has been working with support from the UN Trust fund to End Violence Against Women and in partnership with government and international actors to build local capacity to more effectively respond to violence against women and girls. Together with Hagar International, WHI is training government social workers from Cambodia’s Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation to provide trauma-informed, victim centered counseling and case management services for victims of GBV. Likewise, together with Social Services Cambodia WHI is training and coaching commune representatives from Ministry of Interior to perform conflict mitigation and refer GBV victims to appropriate legal and support services. Alongside this capacity building, WHI is also working with community leaders and stakeholders to engage men, women, boys, and girls in discussions on the effects of GBV and to raise awareness on the pathways for victims to access GBV recovery and support services.
The Impact
WHI is demonstrating that improved support to government social services can help create a more sustainable and lasting reduction of violence against women and girls. With support and coaching from clinical staff, WHI is ensuring service providers meet the needs of victims of GBV via individual and group therapy. In a country where violence is often overlooked or denied, survivors are accessing opportunities to engage with other survivors in their communities, have their voices heard, and take steps to pursue their legal rights.
Since 2016 WHI has seen a marked improvement in the understanding of the negative effects of violence against women, and more individuals agree that women and girls have the right to live free of violence. Likewise, women are more willing to report violence and public demand for protective services has increased. Notably, legal complaints are on the rise, and more perpetrators are being sentenced to jail.