Background

NGO-CEDAW envisions a Cambodian society in which both men and women fully realize and enjoy their human rights. We strive for: substantive equality for men and women in all fields; no gender-based discrimination; social justice; universal access to justice and education; and fair, sustainable economic development. NGO-CEDAW was founded in 1995 after several Cambodian women activists returned from the Beijing World Conference on Women. NGO-CEDAW has been a nationally registered NGO with Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior since October 21, 2009 with registration number 2587. NGO-CEDAW’s role is to monitor and promote the implementation of CEDAW in Cambodia and to engage in advocacy following the publication of each NGO Shadow Report. NGO-CEDAW now comprises a coalition of more than 30 NGOs and has significant networks dedicated to the advancement of women. The organization has a strong background in conducting awareness-raising and capacity-building activities for its members. NGO-CEDAW has substantial experience in effective program management. NGO-CEDAW has also established a good relationship with the government. Significant results of such collaboration include the adoption of many of its recommendations into the official CEDAW report and influencing the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in its decision to adopt the Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence and the Protection of Victims as well as a new anti-trafficking law. Responding to advocacy from NGO-CEDAW, the Ministry of Interior adopted a people-friendly civil registration system. NGO-CEDAW also regularly organizes trainings on CEDAW for the Cambodian National Council of Women (CNCW). With the prompting of NGO-CEDAW, the National Assembly finally ratified the Optional Protocol on CEDAW in 2010. Recently, NGO-CEDAW worked with the government to recommend amendments to the domestic violence law. The steering committee (board of directors) is composed of seven to nine members elected for five years by the General Assembly of member NGOs: the chairperson, the vice-chairperson and seven members at large. The steering committee has the important role of making decisions on: developing strategies; tactics for advocacy, lobbying and capacity-building; approval of administrative decisions and hiring; and other important topics. Names of current steering committee members are on the “Our Board” page. Names of current member NGOs are on the “Our Members” page. NGO-CEDAW has six sub-committees, each dedicated to a specific field of interest. Sub-committee members provide the information for the Shadow Reports by analyzing the situation and suggesting a plan of action for advocacy. Each sub-committee has a coordinator chosen by its members. The sub-committees cover the following issues: Labor and economy (including economic empowerment and the agricultural sector); Health and environment; Education, information and media; Politics and decision making; Gender-based violence and law, including land and labor issues and migrant workers; and Vulnerable, disabled and minority women.

Value

Adopting a human rights-based approach; Using a feminist perspective in solving problems; Promoting equality and fairness; and Pursuing transparency and accountability.

Goal

NGO-CEDAW undertakes awareness-raising, monitoring, advocacy and other activities which are aimed at supporting civil society and government officials in attaining a point where CEDAW principles are permanently applied to all institutions and all sectors of society. To monitor, analyze trends and report on the implementation of CEDAW and the advancement of women’s rights in Cambodia every two years to the Royal Government of Cambodia and the UN CEDAW Committee; To participate actively in and where necessary, lead advocacy for changes in laws affecting women’s human rights. Currently, NGO-CEDAW is working on amending the law on domestic violence and bringing a case under the Optional Protocol of CEDAW; To coordinate awareness raising initiatives on women’s rights through popular and media campaigns and special events such as International Women’s Day, 16 Days of Activism Against Women, Involve media, members, partners and their target beneficiaries in publicizing women’s rights issues; To coordinate the exchange of information and services among member organizations. To set up a central database to maintain the record of women’s rights abuses including cases reported by media; Build capacity of members, including developing a pool of CEDAW resource persons. Strengthen six sub-committees of NGO-CEDAW in implementing usage of CEDAW monitoring tools and framework.