"International Women’s Day Celebration Aside, Female Workers Call for Rights Protection and Stronger Law Enforcement", 8 March 2025

As Cambodia marked International Women’s Day …, civil society lamented that celebrations meant little without action. They urged the government to tackle gender-based violence, enforce labor protection, and end violation of rights, especially against women in the informal economy, who remain vulnerable due to weak law enforcement.

Seventy nine civil society organizations (CSOs) gathered for the event, themed Empowering Women and Girls for Equality, Economic Stability, and Social Justice, at Freedom Park ... The participants, mostly women, came from diverse backgrounds to talk about their struggles, and called for immediate action to address gender-based violence, workplace exploitation, and economic insecurity.

They highlighted the precarious working conditions of women in the informal sector, including domestic workers, scavengers, and transport workers, as well as low wages, lack of social security, and vulnerability to abuse. Women in service industries also face sexual harassment, while land rights activists continue to be threatened for speaking out…

Yong Srey Mom, an informal economy worker, described the harsh realities of domestic work, where the absence of a minimum wage allows employers to pay arbitrarily.

“There are no clear working hours. Most employers force them to work excessively, with no proper rest periods as required by labor laws. This severely impacts our health,” she said, adding that many domestic workers are denied social security benefits.

… Shedding light on challenges faced by women in the entertainment industry, Phin Sreyneath said employers deduct salaries from employees who take a weekend off and terminate female employees who become pregnant…

In a joint statement, the CSOs drew up 16 demands to the government, including stronger protection for victims of gender-based violence, enforcement of labor laws, expansion of social security, and recognition of informal workers. They also called for better public education, maternity benefits, and safeguards for human rights defenders.