By Terry Friel
MORE than a quarter of a century after Cambodia implemented its ambitious strategy of gender equality, only 10-13 percent of registered journalists are female — roughly 1,000 — depriving half the country of a public voice.
A recent survey by the independent Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM) found 10 percent of journalists were women, and of the 100 journalists polled, 75 were men.
CCIM Executive Director Chhan Sokunthea says women reporters face verbal and physical harassment by local authorities and officials.
“Female journalists often have to travel to remote areas to cover sensitive topics such as land disputes, natural resources, the environment, and politics. This can threaten their safety,” she said late last month.
“Women are more vulnerable to psychological stress and may feel forced to abandon assignments because of safety concerns or lack of family support.
“To reduce gender disparities and encourage women in journalism, the government should widely promote the value of female reporters and provide training for authorities on media law, journalist roles, and how to respond to reporters’ requests.”
Ministry of Information spokesman Tep Asnarith said last week 13 percent — just over 1,000 — of registered journalists were women as of end-October, but the central government was working with provincial administrations to increase that figure.
”I encourage all women passionate about journalism to seize opportunities, develop their skills ethically, and contribute to modern, high-quality media while strengthening public trust in Cambodia’s media,” he said.
He says the government is committed to promoting diversity and gender equality by supporting women’s participation, expanding job opportunities in public and private media, and increasing the number of female students in media training programs.
But one veteran Phnom Penh-based woman journalist, who asked not to be named, said the number of female journalists was actually falling.
“The number of female journalists in Cambodia has noticeably decreased in recent years,” she told UCA News. “While I do not know the exact reason, I believe several factors contribute to this trend.
“Some women leave journalism to start their own businesses or become content creators on Facebook or YouTube, where they can earn more income.
“Others face family restrictions, as journalism is often considered unsafe for women.
“In some cases, female journalists encounter discrimination or a lack of confidence in their abilities from male colleagues
“Low salaries, poor working conditions, and concerns about safety and harassment — especially when media organisations fail to provide proper protection or labor support — also lead many women to leave the profession.
“I have had unforgettable experiences in my journalism career since 2008.
“One of the most memorable was when I covered a garment workers’ protest in 2013. Violence broke out between workers and police, leading to shootings that injured and killed workers.
“During the incident, I told a worker I was a journalist, but he said that even if a journalist was beaten, no one would care. But luckily, he walked away — holding a large stone.
“That moment stayed with me, as I felt that female journalists are sometimes not respected and are seen as weak or less capable.”
Another female journalist told UCA News: “Cambodia is different to other countries — people should know that.
“We are not afraid of danger, but we are scared of people who have the power to shut us down.
“We face problems from the authorities and officials who do not want to deal with us, as well as from society.
“We want the authorities to cooperate with us and protect us when we need it.”
In the CCIM survey, 67 percent of those polled said there are few women in leadership roles, such as editor-in-chief or editorial management.
And 27 percent said women often get “lighter” stories, while men get more serious investigative reports. Twenty-three percent said men have a better chance of promotion.
This lack of women journalists and editorial managers translates into an under-representation of women’s views and experiences across a range of issues, including domestic violence, labor exploitation, health and maternity, political engagement, and human trafficking.
And the problem is not unique to Cambodia.
“Women in Asia made up only 21 percent of people seen, heard, or read about in newspaper, radio, television, and digital news in 2020, which is below the global average of 24 to 25 percent,” a study by the Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP) said.
UNESCO’s GMMP is the world’s largest study of gender in the global media.
Cambodia implemented its Neary Rattanak (“Women Are Jewels”) program in 1999. Its latest five-year iteration runs until 2028.
Neary Rattanak aims to empower women and girls, boost legal protection, promote social change, and ensure that government agencies at all levels take gender issues into consideration.
“I believe there has been progress,” says the Phnom Penh-based journalist. “Gender awareness has increased, and many people, especially men, now better understand and respect women’s abilities.
“However, there are still people who hold traditional beliefs and underestimate women.
“So, while things are getting better, challenges remain.”
What would she tell a young woman who wants to become a journalist in a predominantly male world?
“I would tell her: ‘If you truly want to become a professional journalist, do not be shy and do not think you are less capable than men’,” she says.
“Gender is just a biological difference — it does not define your ability. What matters are your skills, determination, courage, ethics, and professionalism.
“With passion and perseverance, you can succeed as a journalist, just like anyone else.” – UCA News
