Communities Across Cambodia Celebrate International Women’s Day 2024
Published on 8 March 2024Around 2,000 people gathered across Phnom Penh and multiple provinces including Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Thom, Kampong Speu, Kampot, Koh Kong, Kratie, Preah Vihear, Pursat, Svay Rieng, Stung Treng, and Tbong Khmum to celebrate International Women’s Day 2024. Between 3 March and 8 March, land and Indigenous community members, labour rights activists, youths, children, local authorities, INGOs and local NGOs joined events to give speeches, march together, join discussion forums, sing songs, and share solidarity meals.
International Women’s Day is marked on 8 March each year. This year marks the 113rd celebration of the event since its commencement in 1911.
Across Cambodia, participants called for equality and respect for the rights of all women, and used the celebratory events to call for solutions to the ongoing systemic problems that women in the country face. Key topics included land disputes; the arbitrary arrest, harassment, and intimidation of women activists; and gender-based discrimination and violence.