The BBC recently reported that Cambodia’s Ministry of Women’s Affairs says that nearly a quarter of all Cambodian women experience domestic violence. Rape is also on the rise due to several factors combined with the traditional prejudices against women. One factor is increased gang activity, because members may consider gang rape a “sport.” Others are increased drug and alcohol use by men. Although Cambodia has legislation on the prevention of domestic violence and is working to meet the national millennium goals for reducing violence and human trafficking, the Ministry suggested that education and improved legislation may be the key to changing attitudes which allow violence against women to go unpunished.The Ministry also suggested a strong commitment to Cambodia’s related Millennium Development Goals of combating violence and human trafficking.
For the full text of this BBC article, please click here. For a list and explanation of Cambodia’s Millennium Development Goals, please click here.
Compiled from: Guy de Launey, BBC News Phnom Penh: Rape Risk Increasing in Cambodia (25 November 2008).