Project profile

Violence against women, both domestic and in the workplace, is commonplace. Acceptance of gender based violence (GBV) among the community is still unacceptably high, with 80% of both men and women failing to respond when they hear of cases of abuse. While the legal framework to protect women is in place, GBV and sexual harassment both in the workplace and in the community remain a significant risk for women in Cambodia due to weaknesses in implementation of laws and policies.

 

Women represent 51.4% of the formal labor force in Cambodia, predominantly in the garment industry and the tourism and hospitality sector. Young rural female migrant workers, often with low levels of literacy, have limited job opportunities and job security, often living and working in unsafe conditions. They are at high risk of exploitation by others because they have limited access to information and forms of protection. Policing mechanisms are weak in the communities where migrant workers live―individuals and gangs often subject women to violence including rape, verbal abuse, sexual harassment, robbery and theft, with limited action taken by local law enforcement. In addition, female migrants who enter the tourism, hospitality and entertainment sectors are often subjected to sexual harassment from abusive clients.

 

The overwhelming evidence therefore indicates that women workers are at risk both inside and outside the workplace. 

 

Objective

The Safe Workplaces, Safe Communities project aims to reduce GBV and sexual harassment in Cambodian workplaces and communities.

 

Key activities

Project activities include:

 

• Providing lifeskills training for 750 workers in the garment, hospitality and tourism industries each year

• Peer education on sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, sexual harassment, women’s rights, and legal and health services for beer promoters

• Supporting the organisational development of the Solidarity Association of Beer Promoters in Cambodia

• Training judicial police officers and Commune Committee for Women and Children (CWCC) officials on gender, women’s rights, and relevant legislation

• Training employers on Cambodian labor law, policies, gender and women’s rights

• Implementing a non-violent workplace initiative targeting outlet owners and male clients to promote social responsibility and prevent sexual harassment and violence against women in the workplace

• Media campaign to promote social and behavioral changes through broadcast advertising, social network marketing, televised round table discussions and policy dialogue debates

• Providing training and skills building for university and high school students covering gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, and women rights

• Capacity building of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs’ Legal Protection Department officers

• Advocating to peak body industries to have a GBV/harassment policy in the workplace

• Networking with government institutions, private sector, and civil society