TWG: Gender

TWG Action Plan

67.   The TWG reported 31 activities were planned to be implemented and progress has been reported on most activities.

  1. Assist ministries without Gender Mainstreaming Action Groups (GMAGs) and prepare Gender Mainstreaming Action Plans (GMAPs). MoInfo, MRD, MOH have finalized their gender mainstreaming action plans with support from UNDP/PGE at MoWA. MoC, MIME, MOWRAM. Also, with support from UNDP/PGE, SCS is in the process of finalizing or waiting for formal approval of their gender mainstreaming action plan. MoEYS, with support from UNICEF, has also finalized their GMAP. MoP is in the process of developing their GMAP with advisory support from UNFPA. The following ministries do not yet have a Gender Mainstreaming Action Group or plan in place: MoFA, MoEF, Council of Ministers, and Ministry of Social Affairs and Veteran and Rehabilitation. However, this is still within the timeframe set out in the NSDP. The TWG suggested having strong commitment from senior management of line ministries, which is necessary for the development of the GM action plans and for its implementation, in particular for the human resources and financial implications.

  2. Support and monitor implementation of GMAPs in line ministries that have GMAG and GMAPs in place. UNDP/PGE will provide TA support for the GMAPs they have supported. UNFPA is supporting MoH in further developing its GMAP. As recommendation, the TWG proposed that Ministries should allocate funds and mobilize resources from partner donors in their sector also, without relying on MoWA to support the implementation of the GMAPs. Donors should coordinate resource mobilization efforts and support to ensure coverage.

  3. Monitor Implementation of Gender Budgeting. The WB/UNIFEM Project on Gender Budgeting came to an end in 2006. The project conducted three research studies: (i) Gender Assessment of the Cambodian Civil Service; (ii) Making Motherhood safer: A Gender Sensitive Appraisal of Service Delivery and Budget Allocations for Maternal Health Care; (iii) Where did all the day care centres go? A gender analysis of Child Care Practice, Time Poverty and Employment choices for Poor Women. Findings of these research studies were discussed and reviewed by the various stakeholders. The MoWA decided to publish the reports from the first two studies. However, the Council of Administrative Reform (CAR) objected to publishing the findings from the third study; A Gender Assessment of the Cambodian Civil Service. In addition, UNDP/PGE is in the process of engaging an international GRB specialist for an assessment and design mission to identify possible ways forward (that also builds on the experience and lessons learned from the WB/UNIFEM project.). Regarding this planning activity, the TWG proposed that Gender Responsive Budgeting is by nature a national endeavor and a collaborative effort that should be firmly anchored in ongoing financial and administrative reform within relevant Ministries, with advocacy and technical expertise on strategic gender equity entry points provided by MoWA.

  4. Monitor and support implementation of NSDP including development of gender-responsive sector-wide plans. The NSDP was approved by the National Assembly in June, 2006, and the MoP launched it on 15 August, 2006. The MoP included a representative of MoWA into the Working Group and Core Group for monitoring the implementation of the NSDP. The Policy Unit of MoWA with TA from UNDP/PGE developed a strategy for monitoring gender-related indicators in the NSDP. This includes the sub-national level. It was discussed at the quarterly meeting of the GMAGs in December, 2006. During the discussion, MoWA asked GMAG members to collect detailed annual work plan of their Ministries, so that they can be analyzed from a gender perspective. MoWA has finalized its NSDP report for 2006 and already developed its annual plan, aligned with the NSDP and PIP.

  5. Support adoption of Draft Organic Law on Sub-national Democratic Development that is gender responsive and include development of gender budgeting. MOWA established a team to identify suggestions and recommendations for engendering the Draft Organic Law on Sub-national Democratic Development. Several meetings with relevant stakeholders were held to discuss and develop priorities and the key entry points on for example gender equality, participation, representation of women,  democratic, budget and domestic violence issues in the draft organic law. MoWA consequently submitted a set of suggestions and recommendations to the Ministry of Interior in November, 2006, and had a fruitful discussion with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and his colleagues on the main gender concerns relating to the various topics covered in the proposed 5 volumes of the Draft Organic Law. MoWA and partners are organizing a task force/small group within the TWG-G to take an active role in providing expertise for commenting on the draft once it is made available for consultation. This activity is behind the schedule, since the MoI is still working on the preliminary draft of the Organic Law and has not yet distributed the draft for comments. Therefore MoWA’s suggestions and recommendations are based purely on the brief overviews of the content officially made available by the MoI. To resolve this problem, MOWA requests the early circulation of the draft of the organic law. Relevant Ministries should also be guaranteed sufficient time to comment on the draft and to prepare recommendations or suggestions for amendment.

  6. Gender Mainstreaming (GM) Strategy in D& D. Key points for the development of a Gender Mainstreaming Strategy in D&D have been drafted. The gender mainstreaming strategy will be further developed in line with the National Program to support D&D.  This activity is also behind the schedule as the National Program to support D&D has been delayed.

  7. Capacity Building for use of Gender Mainstreaming methods and tools at sub-national level (gender awareness, gender analysis, gender-based M&E, advocacy, leadership). The Assessment of Gender Mainstreaming in the Decentralization and Deconcentration was published with support from UNDP/PGE, World Bank, UNICEF/Seth Koma, Seila/PLG and UNFPA, and distributed to the relevant stakeholders both at the national and sub-national levels. A Gender Based M&E Framework and training manual for the sub-national level has been developed. Training for MoWA and PDoWA in all 24 provinces.(with the support from Seila/PLG) has been provided. MoWA, with support from UNFPA, initiated the development of a Gender Analysis Training Manual including proposed tools. A Gender Assessment of Kampong Cham province was completed (English and Khmer versions) in collaboration between Seila/MoWA and PGM/JICA, engaging a consulting company. It is due for publication. This activity (the development of the Gender Analysis Training Manual) was reported to be delayed due to the resignation of the international consultant. New consultant has been recruited and will start in February.

  8. Gender Mainstreaming of the planning and budgeting cycle in 24 provinces. MoWA has developed a guideline for integrating gender issues in the Provincial Planning and Budgeting Cycle. The guideline has been used in the planning process this year. A consultation workshop with directors and gender focal points of PDoWA from all 24 provinces on the utilization of this guideline has taken place. The guideline is being piloted in a few provinces.

  9. Strengthen the capacity of women and children focal points (WCFP) and female Commune Councilors. ToT and "cascade" training on organizing Forum for female Councilors and Women and Children Focal Points has taken place in all 24 provinces with support from UNICEF/Seth Koma, In the UNICEF target provinces (Svay Rieng, Prey Veng, Kampong Speu, Kampong Thum, Otdor Mean Chey and Stung Treng), 26 District Department of Women’s Affairs have run their forums themselves twice this year, reaching approximately 250 female commune councilors and women and children focal points in 203 communes (there are altogether 1,621 WCFPs in the country). The selected WCFPs of Kampong Cham Province were trained in implementing sector-based gender responsive activities at commune level in collaboration with PDoWA/MoWA with support from PGM/JICA.

  10. Inter-ministerial approach to strengthening the capacity for gender issues in D&D process. MOWA, through 24 Provincial Department of Women’s Affairs, is carrying out awareness raising campaigns on the importance of women’s participation in Commune Development Committees. To join the various committees, such as for example rural roads maintenance, water user group, and rice bank committees), GTZ ARDP conducted Fora with female councilors.

  11. Media campaign focused on women to encourage their participation (as candidates, voters, etc.). MoWA, with support from UNFPA and UNDP, is working with NGO’s (GAD/C) to promote women candidates in commune elections through Public Fora in 15 provinces, reaching over 450 women candidates. Apart from the political representation and participation, MOWA, with support from UNDP, UNFPA, and UNIFEM, has also contracted an international consultant and national research firm to work with MoWA for the development of an overall National Gender Advocacy and Communications Strategy. MoWA together with the consultants will start work on the advocacy strategy in February. There were delays in recruitment due to need for re-advertisement of the consultancy.

  12. Advocacy with political parties to promote selection of women as candidates. MoWA has met with the political parties (individuals and in groups) to discuss the importance of women's participation and representation in commune councils. NCSC issued guidelines for the appointment of village representatives emphasizing at least one woman for every three persons appointed. Now, there are 12,210 female village representatives appointed.

  13. Targeted training for female candidates for commune elections. MoWA, with financial and technical support from UNDP and UNFPA cooperated with the NGO, and WfP, organized training workshops on Empowerment of Women Candidates in Commune Elections 2007. The aims of the workshop are as follows (i) Empowerment of women candidates in commune elections is increased from 8% to 15%, and (ii) Implement the plan for 5 years of Neary Rattanak II of MoWA. Target group is the women candidates in commune election for the second mandate in 10 provinces-cities, including Phnom Penh, Pailin, Kep, Kampong Cham, Kratie, Kampong Thom, Battambang, Siem Reap, Kandal and Kampot provinces. This training had 15 sections by having over 450 participants from the 3 major parties (CPP, Funcinpec and Sam Rainsy).

  14. Women’s Development Centers (WDC): Upgrade and/or construct new facilities; develop/strengthen programming. With support from the ADB project at MoWA, the design and construction of a new centre in Siem Reap is ongoing. A bid document has been prepared for Kampong Chhnang. A  WDC monitoring and reporting system has been designed. An Economic profile has been developed for Kampong Chhnang. Two trainings and one workshop on Gender and Enterprise Development have been organized for MoWA staff and WDC in Kampong Chhnang provinces. Capacity Building of MoWA staff by conducting two trainings on Gender and Entrepreneurship development for provincial department of Women's Affairs and WDC in Kampong Chhnang provinces is still ongoing. 3 WDCs in Pailin, Kep, and Sihanoukville, have been constructed, equipped and provided with educational material with financial support from the Japanese Government. They will be inaugurated on January 24, 2007.

  15. Other entry points: Establish/strengthen multiple entry points (including WDC) to support women’s income-generation activities. MoWA, with support from ADB, is supporting Micro- and Small Enterprises Development, identifying market-oriented skills training needs in Kampong Chhnang and Siem Reap and target districts in communes in Kampong Chhnang are being assessed for initial activities. The Centre in Kampong Cham has been renovated (with Japanese NGO support). The Centre in Pursat is collaborating with GTZ and CDS to identify potential income generating activities for women. Value chain analysis of select products is underway. Assessment tools have been designed, the program team and PMG of Policy Unit and Economic Department staff have benefited from on-the-job training in using of tools, and data collection and analysis of information in Kampong Chhnang. PGM/JICA with MoWA have implemented gender responsive projects related to economic empowerment  in Kampong Cham province since July 2006, as part of capacity building for gender mainstreaming,  involving MAFF, MRD, MLVT, MIME and MOC.

  16. Garment Industry Productivity Center: Productivity/management training for garment workers. MoWA participated in various workshops organized by ILO on Gender issues relating to the Garment Industry.

  17. Social security system for private sector workers, with particular attention to garment workers. Currently, there is no available information from ILO.

  18. Awareness raising and training activities to address domestic violence and other forms of violence against women. Regarding this main activity, various sub-activities have been carried out. The TWG suggested that MoWA should publish legal information to enhance the proper understanding and application of the DV Law.

  • Dissemination and training: MoWA Legal Protection Department with support from GTZ has prepared materials for dissemination, including picture books on the DV Law and general violence, leaflets targeting different target audiences, question and answer booklet leaflets. MoWA and DOLA (MoI) have developed awareness training materials on domestic violence, Provincial Facilitators Team (PFT) and District Facilitators Team (DFT) in 24 provinces received training on Principles of prevention of domestic violence. Also, with support of ADB, PFT & DFT provided echo-training to all commune chiefs, commune clerks, village chiefs and women and children focal points, thus more than 20.000 participants were trained. A law was disseminated into each village. To disseminate the law, MoWA with support from CIM published the law and a glossary, (50.000 copies).The publication was made available to all courts, relevant government institutions and provincial administrations. Another publication: “Introduction to the Law on Domestic Violence” will be published in 2007. MoWA, with support from CIM, has also trained the PMG on DV law

  • Training of Law Enforcers: 60 sitting judges were trained in cooperation with the Royal Academy of Judicial Profession. MoWA and GTZ trained 160 court clerks on the DV Law and prevention of Domestic Violence (next trainings are planned for June 2007). MoWA, the National training Department and the Police Academy established a working group to develop training materials for Police officials on domestic violence. Materials will be finished in Jan. 2007. TOT starts in March. MoWA, with Support from UNFPA, conducted Law Dissemination Workshops in Kratie, Siem Riep and Koh Kong (2 people from each provincial line department). MoWA, with support of UNFPA, conducted Law dissemination to all Gender Focal Points in the line ministries at the national level. MoWA, with support from GTZ conducted a training Conference for PDoWA staff members from all 24 provinces on domestic violence and the DV Law. GTZ/CIM trained the women’s and children lawyers working group on the DV law. MoWA provided on the DV Law at the Training Center for Lawyers. MoWA, with support of CIM and KAF, has prepared and conducted several legal training workshops specifically on the DV Law for officials of different ministries, Council of Ministers, Senate, National Assembly.

  • Enhancing the service for helping the victims. MoWA and TPO, with support from GTZ, established a pilot project “Working with Men’ in one district in Kampong Thom Province. The Training Center for Counseling and Social Work supported by MoWA trained 52 social workers working in NGOs on counseling with a focus on gender based violence. CIM has trained several staff members of legal and non-legal NGOs on the DV Law.

  • CEDAW: The Cambodian National Council for Women (CNCW) in cooperation with the NGO Committee on CEDAW, and with financial support from Cambodian Women’s Crisis Centre (CWCC), has organized four training workshops on the dissemination of the content of CEDAW. 104 Master Trainers (MT) participated in Training of Trainers (ToT) from 28 ministries and institutions. The topics included CEDAW's definitions, principles, spirit, state obligations, temporary special measures, role of NGOs, etc. The MTs will disseminate what they have learned on CEDAW to the national and provincial levels in 2007 and to district level in 2008 and commune level in 2009. CNCW with financial support from DAW in New York has organized a workshop on the implementation of the 42 concluding comments of the CEDAW Committee of the UN. The participants in this workshop were from CNCW, Parliament & Senate and from select line ministries. UN Agencies participated as observers.

  1. Media campaign - newsletters, pamphlet, radio, TV (This related to DV laws). 77,183 copies of picture book on DV Law were disseminated. 76,912 copies of picture book what is violence were disseminated. 91,665 copies of the leaflet on the Protection order were disseminated. 14, 500 copies of target leaflets to men, women and young girls were disseminated. Approx. 40,000 DV law texts including glossary were disseminated. MoWA, with support from several donors, conducted the White Ribbon Campaign together with GAD/C consisting of public events in 5 provinces. MoWAs, with support from the Rockefeller Foundation, conducted Public Fora in 9 different provinces.  MoWA, with support of GTZ, posted 5 billboards in provinces. MWA, with Support of UNFPA and GTZ, posted 10 billboards in Phnom Penh and painted 20 busses with anti-violence slogans. MoWA, with support of UNIFEM, posted anti-violence slogans on TukTuks. MoWA, with support of GTZ, produced 9 radio call-in shows on Domestic Violence. MoWA, with support of GTZ, conducted a TV round table discussion which is going (to be re-broadcast 5 times). IEC materials have been produced and distributed to stakeholders at national and sub-national levels. The various media campaigns have been initiated relatively recently and the impact will be assessed and monitored at a later stage, according to plan. The TWG recommended having more in order to broadcast TV spots on a regular basis.

  2. Monitor collection of statistics on violence against women for policy making and M&E. Baseline surveys on attitudes towards violence against women have been finalized by GTZ, UNIFEM and East West Management Institute. The findings were presented at three national workshops in May, 2006. UNIFEM launched this document with NGOs on June 7th 2006. MoWA established a network with MoP, MoI and MoJ to collect data on DV. MoP integrated an indicator to collect data on administrative decisions and reported cases. MoJ plans to count protection orders and convicted perpetrators. MoI plans to count intervention, arrests and investigation in DV cases. Monitoring Forms for the specific line Ministries have been developed. TOT is planned for March 2007.

  3. Support the adoption of the Draft Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation (the “Anti Trafficking Law”). Cambodia ratified the Palermo Protocol related to Human Trafficking in 2005. Furthermore, Cambodia has elaborated and published the new Draft Penal Code in 2005. Due to this, the Draft Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation (being a special penal law) has to undergo amendments to ensure its full compliance with both of the above mentioned documents. MoWA with the support from CIM has elaborated a set of suggestions to ensure this compliance. MoWA is now supporting the adoption process of the Draft Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation. The TWG suggested that there is encouragement to MoWA and other ministries involved in order for them to continue to support the process of adjusting the current draft of the Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation to the general penal law system to enable Cambodia to have a comprehensive and applicable law, aimed at better protection especially for women and children. More recommendation was GDCC should also encourage the TWG on Legal and Judicial Reform to follow up the adjustment to the current draft law and once revised to promote its adoption, (it is one of the JMI under their responsibility.)

  4. Promote and support development of gender responsive migration policy to recognize and protect rights of migrant workers. A national committee for Women's Migration is formed and has been renamed the Inter-ministerial Task force on Migration (IMTM). The co-chairs of IMTM are H.E. You Ay and H.E Prak Chantha, MoLVT. The ToR has been approved by MoWA and MoLVT. CARAM, with financial support from UNIFEM, KHANA, UNFPA and SCEARAP of Canada fund, organized the International Migration Day on 18 December, 2006 at Wat Batom, Phnom Penh. However, the task force meeting planned for October was postponed until December 2006. Meeting addressed membership of IMTM and its future mandate.

  5. Review, assess and monitor 2005 CDHS results. The release of CDHS findings has been delayed. Preliminary results of CDHS 2005 were only released in September, 2006.

  6. Develop, implement and monitor prevention plans based on priority issues identified in CDHS, e.g. HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, nutrition, child health, infant mortality, etc. The TWG reported that there is no information from MoH.

  7. Teacher recruitment/priority for female candidates. According to Gender Focal Point at Ministry of Education Youth and Sports more teachers will be recruited in October, 2007.

  8. Capacity building on management and advocacy training for model female teachers, school directors and deputy directors. Director and Deputy Director of department, provincial, district office of education received training on technical, administration, gender awareness; gender mainstreaming, gender indicators, advocacy and relationship school and community. These trainings have been completed. These trainings have been provided by TWG on Gender of the MoEYS with support from UNICEF.

  9. Dormitories for girls. Six dormitories for female students are used in Phnom Penh near the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) organized by MoEYS. Four dormitories for Upper Secondary Education for female students in Siem Reap, Preah Vihea, Kampong Thom and Kratie are being constructed using ADB Funds. Dormitories for Female University Students inaugurated in Phnom Penh in December, through support from Harpswell Foundation.

  10. Develop Gender Terminology and Translation (JMI). JICA engaged a local institution to support MoWA in the development of a Gender Terminology (glossary). It includes a list of 55 common gender terms. A Gender Terminology Committee was established in November, 2005 to coordinate and lead the work. Several consultation meetings took place between MOWA and development partners since May 2006. The Gender Terminology has been printed and submitted to the Management of MoWA for distribution. It is in both Khmer and English. MoWA intends to officially launch the Gender Terminology in relation to the International Women’s Day celebrations in March.

  11. Audit of gender training programmes (joint analytical framework). Information from the development of the proposed MoWA (UNDP supported) National Framework on Gender Mainstreaming will inform this, so will the UNFPA supported Manual on Gender Analysis and PGM/JICA work on gender training manuals. Regular meetings have now been agreed on for 2007 for main MoWA partners involved in supporting MoWA in this work. However, Lack of human Resources and time as well as limited coordination both on the donor side and government side has delayed this. Other priorities have dominated the work in 2006.

  12. Maintain and update Gender Resource Mobilization Matrix (JMI). Gender Resource Mobilization Matrix was developed by TWG-G and MoWA in February, 2006. It is currently being updated again as part of the planning process for the 2007 TWG-G action plan.

  13. Promote/support naming of Gender Focal Points (GFP) in all TWG (Joint Missions). TWG-G meeting has encouraged the Gender Focal Points in the line Ministries to participate in other TWGs meeting, including the TWG on Gender. The TWG suggest that other TWGs should encourage their representatives to attend the TWG on Gender and representatives of the TWG-G should participate in all relevant TWGs, and More effective reporting framework for this should be explored and developed (at present the reporting is mainly informal on both the government and donor sides).

Joint Monitoring Indicators

68.    Support and Monitor implementation of Domestic Violence Prevention Plan. National Prevention Plan against Domestic Violence is completed and now in the process of consultation with MoWA management team. It will be finalized in 2007 after submitting to inter-ministerial meeting for approval. MoWA legal unit with the support of CIM has prepared a proposal for a Sub-Decree for the implementation of the DV Law concerning the administrative decision and the cooperation of local authorities with the police forces. This proposal has already been transferred into a draft Sub-Decree of the Ministry of Interior (being the ministry responsible) during an established legal working group between the two ministries: MoI and MoWA. As constraints, the TWG reported that the proper implementation of the DV Law requires the adoption of the Sub-Decree and due to the complex D & D reform in Cambodia the Sub-Decree needs proper discussion, to fit in the D&D - legal framework. The TWG recommend that the adoption process of the Sub-Decree should be a priority since the DV Law itself has been in force for one year now, and that MoWA and MoI be encouraged to proceed in supporting the adoption process of the Sub-Decree.

69.   Adoption of the Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation. Draft Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation is in the process of discussion in order to ensure the full compliance with the Palermo Protocol and the Cambodian penal legal framework. The draft Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation still has to be harmonized with the Palermo-Protocol and the Cambodian Penal Law. MoWA has provided comments and recommendations for this and submitted it to MoJ. The TWG proposed that Close cooperation between MoJ and MoWA is necessary on the Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation, and also recommended GDCC and all involved ministries to promote the adaptation of the draft law to the Palermo Protocol and the Cambodian penal legal framework (recommendations provided by MoWA and partners) and then to support its adoption.

70.   Engendering Organic Law on Sub-national Democratic Development with gender and gender budgeting. The draft Organic Law on Sub-national Democratic Development has not been made available to TWG-G members for comments. MoWA has (based on the brief overview provided by MoI on the main volumes of the draft law) met with MoI to discuss entry points for engendering the draft organic law and has submitted a list of priority concerns and recommendations. The list of concerns and recommendations include provisions for gender budgeting. The TWG complained that without seeing the draft, it has been difficult to provide precise expert advice on the mainstreaming of gender into the organic law. The TWG recommended therefore that the draft be made available early and for a sufficient period of time for proper consultation.

Implementation status of the H-A-R Action Plan

71.   RGC's sector ministries and development partners adopt harmonized approaches to tackle cross-cutting issues, such as gender equality (C.2.b.). MoWA developed Gender Mainstreaming Guideline to establish GMAGs, and provides TA for development of gender mainstreaming action plans in line Ministries. MOWA will support the formation of GMAG and provide TA for development of GM action plans for 4 more Ministries (MOEF, MOLVT, MOLMUC, and MOT during 2007). MoWA and a number of development partners are meeting regularly to harmonize their approach and support to gender mainstreaming. MoWA in a collaborative effort with main partners and with advisory support from UNDP/PGE will undertake to develop a National Framework for GM which describes the institutional set-up and processes as well as existing best practices, and will collate existing training material and manuals in relation to GM. MoWA has been promoting close alignment with the selected sector ministries to facilitate development and implementation of sector -based gender responsive activities in collaboration with PGM/JICA.

72.   RGC and development partners use jointly agreed results-oriented reporting and assessment frameworks that have managerial number of indicators to monitor progress against key dimensions of national and sector development strategies (D.a). To harmonize with NSDP, MoWA used the framework from the Ministry of Planning to prepare its Action Plan for 2007.  All departments of Women's Affairs have completed the Action Plan for 2006 and 2007 with the Financial and Technical support from UNDP/PGE/MoWA.

Resource mobilization

73.   The TWG did not report on the matter.

| Content | Back | Top | Next |


Home | 8th CG Meeting | 7th CG Meeting | Partnership and Harmonization TWG | GDCC | Policy Documents Guidelines | Donor Dev. Coop. Pgm. | NGO