Social Sciences

Violence against women and girls in Cambodia remains of significant concern. It is widespread, systemic and culturally entrenched. One in five Cambodian men reported to have attempted or committed violence against women, including rape.[1] Over 30 percent of Cambodian women have experienced physical, sexual, emotional or economic intimate partner violence in their lives,[2] with at least 1 in 5 women between the ages of 15 and 49 years having suffered physical or sexual intimate partner violence.[3] While the National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women 2019-2023 (NAPVAW 3) has been established to build on successes on the reduction and prevention of violence against women, the plan lacks data and indicators with respect to a reduction of violence against women with disabilities.[4] Research into the situation of women living with a disability in Cambodia revealed that women with disabilities face similar levels of violence from partners compared to women without disabilities, but they experience much higher levels of emotional, physical and sexual violence by other family members.[5] The same research showed that, women with disabilities were much more likely to be insulted, made to feel bad about themselves, belittled, intimidated, and were five times more likely to experience sexual violence at the hands of a family member. They were also less likely to disclose and seek help following violence. Women with disabilities are up to 4.2 times more likely to experience controlling behavior from partners and family members-in some cases, even having to seek permission to access healthcare. Because of this controlling behavior, these women were less likely to have financial independence and autonomy. This evidence, taken prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, demonstrated that urgent action needs to be taken to advance the interests and needs, and recognition towards ending violence, stigma, discrimination and rights violations committed against women and girls, par