Violence against women was the featured issue during the opening ceremony Thursday of the 91st International Women’s Day at Phnom Penh’s Chaktomuk Theater.
Six out of 10 women in Cambodia experience domestic violence, according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Women’s and Veteran’s Affairs. And every kind of violence, whether rape, sexual assault, threats or harassment, are a great obstacle for women to participate in all spheres of life, Women’s Affairs Minister Mu Sochua said.
The opening ceremony kicked off a week of nationwide activities on women’s rights, such as public campaigns, parades and the Women Walkathon on Sunday.
The activities lead up to International Women’s Day on Thursday, March 8.
Due to acts of violence against women in Cambodia, the theme of International Women’s Day was “building together a society free of violence against women.”
“Many women remain deprived of basic rights, including the right to survival and the right of privacy, the right to chose jobs, and the right to equality in family and society,” Mu Sochua said.
An important step towards a non-violent society is the Cambodian National Council of Women, inaugurated during Thursday’s ceremony, the ministeradded.
The council will be chaired by the Women’s Affairs Ministry, which will work to advance the status of women.
(Additional reporting by Brian Calvert)
