This paper highlights the gender gaps in contemporary Cambodian society, and discusses the
constraints and underlying attitudes which determine women’s disadvantaged position.
As new resources, opportunities and structures are introduced in the course of development
in Cambodia, gender differentials are becoming apparent. Underlying assumptions about
gender and power relations dictate the way in which new resources are allocated. New and
modern inputs are generally accepted to be a “male” domain. In formal education, girls are
under-represented at all levels, with the gender gap widening as the level of education rises.
This directly affects women’s position in the labour market, with fewer women than men in
professional and leadership positions. Women form a minority in the new wage labour sector,
but a majority of market traders. Following the most recent national election in 1998, the first
women ministers were appointed, but only eight of the 122 members of the National Assembly
are women. This means that women have very little say in the creation of the rules, regulations
and policies that affect their lives.
This working paper provides an overview of current issues for gender and development in
Cambodia, drawing together key issues from literature and research, and reviewing the latest
statistics. Issues are presented under three broad headings—education, health, and economy
and labour. Gender gaps revealed in the most recent statistics are highlighted, together with an
analysis of the gender constraints which lead to women’s disadvantage in accessing the material
and non-material resources of contemporary Cambodian society.
The paper is intended as a basis for further analysis, discussion and research, and includes
suggestions for further research at the end of each chapter.