WHAT

The Project seeks to promote women’s political representation in Cambodia; specifically through advocating towards the achievement of the minimum target of 30% representation of women at all levels of government. The Project forms part of a regional program aimed at “Building Sustainable Partnerships to Promote Women's Political Representation in Southeast Asia” (the “Program”). The Program is managed by Kemitraan (Partnership for Governance Reforms), an Indonesian non-governmental organization, in partnership with the National Democracy Institute (NDI) based in Indonesia with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Program will focus on strengthening democracy and the political rights of women in five countries across Southeast Asia by promoting an increase in women’s representation through regional partnership initiatives. CCHR will be the Cambodian partner joining the Indonesian Women’s Coalition (“KPI”) in Indonesia, Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (“EMPOWER”) in Malaysia, the Women’s Caucus in Timor-Leste, and the Center for Popular Empowerment (“CEP”) in the Philippines. The Project activities will span a two year period, focusing on women’s political representation specifically in the context of the upcoming Commune Elections in June 2012 and the National Elections in 2013.

WHY

For a number of different reasons – cultural, political, socio-economic and historical – the rate of participation by women in Cambodian politics has traditionally been low.  As a result, women’s representation is still very low at all levels of governance.  In light of the upcoming Commune Elections in 2012 and the National Elections in 2013, it is important to focus attention on increasing the representation of women in politics.  Ideally, women would be represented in politics from the higher echelons of national government right down to commune level. These elections also represent a perfect opportunity for gender mainstreaming policies. 

HOW

In order to advocate for an increase in women’s representation in politics, CCHR will employ a multi-disciplinary approach, which will include: (1) monitoring and mapping the election of women in the Commune and National Elections of 2012 and 2013 respectively; (2) organizing multi-party workshops/ meetings of female candidates for both elections; (3) organizing roundtable discussions focusing on issues of women in politics; and (4) domestic and international advocacy.  CCHR will advocate for these results by means of radio broadcasts, online media, reports, briefing notes, fact sheets, and – most importantly – stakeholder meetings and roundtable dialogues between key members of civil society and representatives of the political parties. CCHR will also meet with members of the women’s movement in Cambodia to raise awareness of quotas as a means for ensuring a gender balance in politics.

WHO

The target audience of the Project includes representatives of the political parties, policy makers, female election candidates, and members of the women’s movement, and all women and population who would be echoed for their support to vote for women candidates.