Cambodia
Protection from violence 2016-2020 (Phase 1); 2021- 2023 (phase 2)
Helping women victims of violence
For many men in Cambodia, beating or shouting at their wives is not abnormal. It is their daily life. It is urgent to protect these women and their children.
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The context
The submission of women to men and domestic violence is still common among a portion of the population in Cambodia.
Until 2007, a poem, the Chbap Srey, was still taught in school, which taught women to obey and serve their husbands without any objection or to respect dress codes so as not to dishonor the family.
In the poorest families, women are often financially dependent on their spouses and are susceptible to social pressure.
Victims of violence prefer to remain silent.
How is your donation used?
For every €100 raised by Planète Enfants & Développement, €84.4 goes to our social mission.
Our projects are evaluated by independent firms. And our accounts are audited and certified each year by KPMG.
out of 162 countries, this is Cambodia's ranking on gender inequality
%
of women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical, verbal or psychological violence
%
of women think that they must obey their husbands
The project
Talking about violence is still taboo in Cambodian society. This is why Planète Enfants & Développement has chosen the GALS method to help women victims of violence.
GALS, training to address issues that lead to violence
This method, which is based on drawing, makes it possible to include and involve the most vulnerable women and men, who are mostly illiterate. The training sessions deal with gender equality and non-violent communication, but also with managing household finances. Discussing the management of the family budget loosens tongues, reveals difficulties and inequalities within the couple: such as problems of alcoholism, joint decision making and domestic violence.
Women who complete these trainings join savings and credit groups. There are currently four of these groups in the two districts that we follow. These groups allow the participants to start small businesses and to regain their self-confidence.
107 women and men have participated in these exchange sessions in recent months. Involving men in these groups is a priority to initiate a change of mentality on the long-term but remains a challenge.
Women identified are assisted by social workers
Apsycho-social support is offered to women victims of domestic violence to strengthen their self-confidence and their ability to act. In 2020, 87 women were followed up by social workers from our local partner SKO.
In 2022, 11 female victims of domestic violence were monitored. At the same time, in-depth work was carried out to raise awareness of gender inequality issues. 33 families took part in these workshops.
Other projects :
Cambodia: supporting families in the slums of Phnom Penh
Cambodia: improving conditions for women workers in factories
Cambodia: daycare centers in the villages of workers
" After receiving his salary, he would often call some friends over for a drink. He didn't care about his wife and kids. But today, he realizes that he is less violent at home and has cut back on alcohol-related expenses. He even plans to save money to build new projects with his wife and children to face the future as a family.".
Testimony of a social worker
Our partners in the field
SKO (Samathapeap Khnom Organisation):
Cambodian NGO that improves the quality of life of disadvantaged families and the education of children.