Presenter Information

Phanghouy Chea, Seattle University

Publication Date

September 2021

Start Date

2-9-2021 11:55 AM

End Date

2-9-2021 12:20 PM

Moderator

Abem Fekade-Tessema

Description

The underrepresentation of Cambodian women in the major role of leadership and politics causes serious barriers for Cambodia to be sustainably developed; therefore, Cambodian women need to have equal rights and opportunities to uplift their voice in enhancing their goals as well as the country's well-being. Two significant factors have prevented Cambodian women from assuming leadership roles: poverty and cultural norms. On one hand, poverty has prevented women from going to school, rather, forcing them to work menial jobs and becoming sex workers. On the other hand, cultural norms negatively stereotype women as unsuitable for assuming leadership roles in high-ranking positions. However, it is not only of benefit to Cambodian women, but to the well-being of the entire country, that women become established in more leadership roles. Thus, solutions to the poverty and cultural norms that prevent women from assuming these roles must be explored. In this presentation, I will explore the background and causes that prevent Cambodian women from assuming leadership roles. Next, I will propose solutions for how to address this problem, including increasing female role models in politics, providing educational and training opportunities, eliminating cultural norms with the help of the government to create some programs to support women in leadership, and promoting all of those campaigns by social media. Last but not least, I will call for action with everyone in the conference to be aware of this issue because I think this issue still happens in every country. The matter is just a big or small issue in the country itself.

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Sep 2nd, 11:55 AM Sep 2nd, 12:20 PM

Underrepresentation of Cambodian Women in Politics and Leadership Roles

The underrepresentation of Cambodian women in the major role of leadership and politics causes serious barriers for Cambodia to be sustainably developed; therefore, Cambodian women need to have equal rights and opportunities to uplift their voice in enhancing their goals as well as the country's well-being. Two significant factors have prevented Cambodian women from assuming leadership roles: poverty and cultural norms. On one hand, poverty has prevented women from going to school, rather, forcing them to work menial jobs and becoming sex workers. On the other hand, cultural norms negatively stereotype women as unsuitable for assuming leadership roles in high-ranking positions. However, it is not only of benefit to Cambodian women, but to the well-being of the entire country, that women become established in more leadership roles. Thus, solutions to the poverty and cultural norms that prevent women from assuming these roles must be explored. In this presentation, I will explore the background and causes that prevent Cambodian women from assuming leadership roles. Next, I will propose solutions for how to address this problem, including increasing female role models in politics, providing educational and training opportunities, eliminating cultural norms with the help of the government to create some programs to support women in leadership, and promoting all of those campaigns by social media. Last but not least, I will call for action with everyone in the conference to be aware of this issue because I think this issue still happens in every country. The matter is just a big or small issue in the country itself.