The world has come a long way since women first fought for equal rights in the early 19th century. For Cambodia, the movement for women’s equality began in the 1940s and 1950s, emerging from the country’s nationalist movement. Then came the establishment of the first national women’s organization, the Women’s Friendship Association, in 1958, which aimed at promoting nationalist consciousness.
Now Cambodian women participate in every aspect of society and are given more chances than ever before. However, when it comes to who gets to represent Cambodia on the international stage, within foreign policy institutions, men far outnumber women, particularly in decision-making roles.
