Improvements made, but still much to do in Cambodia

A new report from Fojo and Unesco reveals progress on equity for women in media, but also shows a lot of things still needs to be done.

It was noted that while there had been some progress in recent years, much remained to be done to ensure equity for women in the media.

Fojo’s report on Women and Media in Cambodia was presented in Phnom Penh as part of celebrations in the country to mark World Press Freedom Day. A hundred participants from the media, civil society organisations, the United Nations and the world of diplomacy gathered to discuss the issue of the role and representation of women in and by Cambodian media.

Keynote speakers included UNESCO’s Country Representative, Anne Le Maistre, the Minister for Women, Ing Khantha Phavy, the Swedish Ambassador, Maria Sargren, and the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Information, Thach Pen.

The Swedish Ambassador and the Unesco Country Representative noted with regret that Cambodia had slipped ten places to 142 in the Reporters Without Borders index of World Press Freedom

Keynote speakers highlighted the need to discuss the rights of women on World Press Freedom Day, with one saying that it was impossible to discuss press freedom without reference to how women media workers are regarded.

It was noted that while there had been some progress in recent years, much remained to be done to ensure equity for women in the media.

The audience watched a short film on the rile of women in media in Cambodia which reflected on some of the reports key findings including the lack of women in management roles in media houses and the fact that many women face sexual harassment in their daily work.

Jaldeep Katwala from Fojo Media Institute noted some of the study’s key findings and recommendations including the need for more gender training and the fact that the study is only one step in the process of changing attitudes. He said the report was designed for the Cambodian partners, CCI and CCIM so that they could design gender inclusive training processes. He also noted that it was a global problem which required local solutions based on knowledge and awareness of the kind the study was able to provide.

There then followed a roundtable discussion on how best to improve the situation of women in media and gender representation in Cambodia.