The UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted in 1979, in article 1 defines discrimination against women. The definition of discrimination includes gender-based violence, which is interpreted as,
"violence that is directed against a woman because she is a woman, or violence that affects women disproportionately. It includes acts that inflict physical, mental, or sexual harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion, and other deprivations of liberty."
Furthermore, discrimination against women shall mean any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.
For more information on CEDAW click here
Sadly, the CWCC believes that the incidence of rape is increasing in Cambodia
Compounding an already tragic situation is the ongoing trauma faced by victims of rape and sexual abuse as they are further victimised by society norms that blame the victim for failing to protect herself, her reputation and that of her family's against such shame. Victims of rape also find it difficult to marry due to the high value society places on a bride's virginity, thus adding marginalisation and discrimination to her abuse.
Victims of domestic violence face similar issues as poverty, lack of employable skills, the threat of homelessness and shame trap women in abusive situations. The lack of social welfare and social security systems mean that women have very few options when faced with domestic violence and abuse.
Limited education, debt, lack of income generating opportunities, dysfunctional families and social marginalisation are the most common reasons why Cambodian women and girls are vulnerable to sexual exploitation (Pact Cambodia). With little means of earning an income, women from poor families and previous trafficking and violence victims are vulnerable to being trafficked or re-trafficked. Traffickers exploit women's and girl's low self esteem, poverty and limited work opportunities to lure them with promises of respectable work in overseas countries where they inevitably find themselves virtual slaves to brothel or karaoke parlours.
Many victims come from poor rural areas in Cambodia where communities are largely ignorant of the true intent of traffickers. Women and girls are then traded across land boarders ending up in Thailand, Malaysia or Taiwan. Once a child's virginity is sold for $500, she is traded on to a brothel as a virtual sex slave. Boarder provinces, such as Banteay Meanchey between Thailand and Cambodia, face serious issues related to all types of human trafficking and drug related crime.
Though it is not known exactly how many people are trafficked each year from Cambodia, it is estimated to be in the tens of thousands (Preventing Trafficking of Women, PACT Cambodia). Many victims are subsequently detained by the Thai, Malaysian and Taiwanese authorities and sent back to Cambodia through the transit area in Poipet. Last year, approximately 30,000 Cambodians were deported from Thailand alone for illegal entry, the majority being victims of sex trafficking (Thai Department of Immigration).