Workshop discusses challenges in accessing divorce for women in Cambodia
PHNOM PENH, 17 March 2010: Had enough of an abusive husband? Get a divorce! So goes conventional wisdom, but for many Cambodian women, the challenges and social stigma attached to divorce means they would often prefer to suffer in silence than go through the process.
However, options and support systems do exist for Cambodian women seeking a divorce. These, and the difficulties women face in seeking freedom from an unhappy marriage, were discussed at a workshop titled “Access to Divorce for Women in Cambodia” held today by Legal Aid of Cambodia (LAC), an implementing partner of UNDP’s Access to Justice Project (A2J).
H.E. Dr. Ing Kantha Phavi, Minister of Women’s Affairs, opened the workshop. In her keynote address she called for greater support for women going through the difficult process of divorce, and for improved protection of their rights. She said that most women were not aware of their rights and often faced social pressure to continue living in an unhappy wedlock.
The Minister stressed that divorce was a devastating experience for all involved, and should be a last resort, but added: “as there are reasons to try to save a marriage, there are also reasons to end one”.
“A divorce has more negative economic and social consequences on women than on men, which leaves women often without the means to financially support herself and her children. And many women have little or no knowledge of their rights and how to claim them,” she said in her keynote address.
“We have to establish and maintain an effective civil registration system with sufficient recourses and infrastructure, and we have to offer the population a customer friendly service delivery, which is affordable and accessible. Only if we face these challenges, we will succeed,” she added.
The workshop explored a wide range of divorce-related legal issues, including women’s access to legal services when looking for a divorce, as well as their rights in relation to child support, child custody, alimony, division of property, and pension.
“There remain obstacles for Cambodian women who wish to separate from abusive husbands. It is our hope that this workshop will lead to relevant government institutions taking this issue more seriously and continuing to work diligently to ensure that the rights of women are observed in Cambodia,” said Mr. Run Saray, executive director of LAC. The group has provided Legal Representation Services for Women in Kampong Speu, Kampong Chhnang and Siem Reap provinces.
Domestic violence against women remains a major issue in Cambodia. Many women have been subjected to sexual and physical violence often committed by their husbands. Yet, gender based violence is rarely publicly discussed here, and the reasons behind this are complicated and often intermingled. Lack of education and awareness of legal rights are major causes. Fear of retaliation and financial costs of bringing a case to court, or even in obtaining a medical certificate from a doctor to prove the abuse, also discourage many Cambodian women from speaking out.
Access to Justice Project is the product of close collaboration between UNDP and the Project Management Unit of the government’s Council of Legal and Judicial Reform. The Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Interior implement the project, which has also received funding from Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
H.E. Dr. Ing Kantha Phavi, Minister of Women’s Affairs, opened the workshop. In her keynote address she called for greater support for women going through the difficult process of divorce, and for improved protection of their rights. She said that most women were not aware of their rights and often faced social pressure to continue living in an unhappy wedlock.
The Minister stressed that divorce was a devastating experience for all involved, and should be a last resort, but added: “as there are reasons to try to save a marriage, there are also reasons to end one”.
“A divorce has more negative economic and social consequences on women than on men, which leaves women often without the means to financially support herself and her children. And many women have little or no knowledge of their rights and how to claim them,” she said in her keynote address.
“We have to establish and maintain an effective civil registration system with sufficient recourses and infrastructure, and we have to offer the population a customer friendly service delivery, which is affordable and accessible. Only if we face these challenges, we will succeed,” she added.
The workshop explored a wide range of divorce-related legal issues, including women’s access to legal services when looking for a divorce, as well as their rights in relation to child support, child custody, alimony, division of property, and pension.
“There remain obstacles for Cambodian women who wish to separate from abusive husbands. It is our hope that this workshop will lead to relevant government institutions taking this issue more seriously and continuing to work diligently to ensure that the rights of women are observed in Cambodia,” said Mr. Run Saray, executive director of LAC. The group has provided Legal Representation Services for Women in Kampong Speu, Kampong Chhnang and Siem Reap provinces.
Domestic violence against women remains a major issue in Cambodia. Many women have been subjected to sexual and physical violence often committed by their husbands. Yet, gender based violence is rarely publicly discussed here, and the reasons behind this are complicated and often intermingled. Lack of education and awareness of legal rights are major causes. Fear of retaliation and financial costs of bringing a case to court, or even in obtaining a medical certificate from a doctor to prove the abuse, also discourage many Cambodian women from speaking out.
Access to Justice Project is the product of close collaboration between UNDP and the Project Management Unit of the government’s Council of Legal and Judicial Reform. The Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Interior implement the project, which has also received funding from Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
- Related topics: Democratic Governance
Last updated: 20 August 2010
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