Thida C. Khus, SILAKA-

OGF Forum, Oslo, Norway 3-5 October 2011

Introduction to Cambodia 18 years out of two decade of civil war Population of 14 millions Likely not meeting all MDGs except

MDG 6 Currently undergoes many reforms,

including public financial reform Has adopted gender as an advocacy for

national development strategy

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Project: Women Outreach to Women, WOW Goal to increase women participation in

decision making, especially in public office

Work in 9 of 24 provinces in Cambodia Target women political candidates and

women leaders at the sub national level, including women indigenous

Expand to include young women

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Levels of Public Office

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Approaches of WOW project Empower women activists to reach out

to their communities Direct advocacy with relevant Ministries

and political parties Media campaign Work with sub national level women

leaders to take monitoring and supporting role to women activists

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Tools: Local Forum, Dialogue and Engagement, and citizen report cards

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Activities implemented Training Outreach activities to citizen Day and night Forums TV spots broadcast Strengthening of the Women Political

Activists network, WPAN Direct advocacy with Political parties

and relevant government ministries National conference

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Achievements Number of women

counselors at the commune level has increased from 8% in 2002 to 15% in 2007

# of National Parliamentarians increased from 19% to 22%

Women appointed as Deputy Prime Minister and Vice Governors in all the provinces and districts

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Changes on the ground

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Project to benefit women are on the commune plan;

Some successful raise funding on their own;

25% of communes contribution to help with community outreach;

# of domestic violence reduced.

Challenges ahead

Regulation in place to assure women election;

Turn number to quality policy implication for women;

Mainstream political parties agenda; Monitoring local government

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