Sunday, December 28, 2014

Where are the

As Cambodia is experiencing continuous, but at times, uneven economic growth, it is time to ask how to make it more inclusive. A key aspect of this equation will be how to handle the issue of land conflict and how to ensure that women benefit from the growth they contribute to. While it is often said that economic growth contributes to gender equality, not everyone agrees. Economists Naila Kabeer and Luisa Natali argue that whereas gender equality contributes to economic growth, the reverse is not generally true. Growth either has no impact or, in some cases, has adverse impacts on gender equality. In Cambodia, women play a key role in economic growth, both through their high levels of economic activity and by providing the workforce for major export industries. But looking at women on the margins raises concerns about those who are left behind. These marginalised women include the inmates at CC2 Women’s Prison. While they are not representative of the general population they do represent a cross-section of Cambodians who have experienced what it means to be left out of the country’s rapid development. Each of these women has her own story. Eleven of the women are being incarcerated for activities related to land conflicts. Seven of them were arrested on November 10, charged and convicted within 24 hours for obstructing public traffic under Article 78 of the Traffic Law. The women had dragged a bed onto Monivong Boulevard in an attempt to urge Phnom Penh authorities to act on the latest flooding affecting their homes. With Boeung Kak Lake now filled for commercial development, flooding in the area has significantly worsened. The following day, three women land rights activists protested the arrest of the seven and were themselves arrested and convicted for obstructing officials with aggravating circumstances under Article 504 of the Criminal Code. All 10 have been sentenced to one year in prison and fined 2 million riel ($500). They all appealed against their convictions.

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