The use of ICT for Gender Based Violence Prevention

H.E.Dr.Khiev Serey Vuthea at the forum A forum on the use of ICT for Gender Based Violence Prevention was organized on Thursday 14 March. The overall aim of the forum was to raise awareness about gender based violence in Cambodia and the importance that ICT has in promoting and bringing about this change.

The forum is part of the project on 'Gender based violence' is a current project lead by the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) and implemented by the Open Institute and receives funding from The Swedish Program for ICT in Developing Regions (SPIDER).
 
It is hoped that the discussion and exchange of ideas, which took place at this forum, which brought together participants from many different backgrounds and experiences, will result in a better understanding of the issues relating to gender based violence in Cambodia. The event was organized by The Open Institute in collaboration with the Ministry of Women's Affairs, the National League of Communes/Sangkats, Heifer International, the People's Health Development Association(PHD), Legal Aid of Cambodia Defenders Project ECPACT-Cambodia, Khmer Youth for Social Development (KYSD) and the Cambodian NGO-CEDAW. The guest speakers at the forum were H. E.Dr. Khiev Serey Vuthea, Director General of the Ministry of Women's Affairs, Mrs. Ros Sopheap, Executive Director of Gender and Development for Cambodia and Mrs. Chim Manavy, Executive Director of the Open Institute. At least 45 participants were present at the forum from the Commune/Sankat councilors from Phnom Penh, SiemRiep, Battambang and Kampong Thom provinces, government officials and NGOs working to prevent gender based violence, organizations and individuals who work to support the victims and survivors of gender based violence and those that work for the prevention of such violence and the media. In her speech H. E.Dr. Khiev Serey Vuthea welcomed all these groups coming together at this forum, all with the common objective of addressing the issue of gender based violence in Cambodia. She referred to administrative data showing that there has been a decline in gender based violence between 2006 -2010 but the eventual aim of all concerned is to eliminate this violence completely. She is extremely heartened that more women are now coming forward and reporting incidents of gender based violence and that the development of ICT will be a useful tool in combating this violence. She reported, that she felt sure that with commitment and involvement from all the different organisations, a great deal can be done to combat the existence of gender based violence in Cambodia. Mrs Ros Sophead, the Executive Director of Gender and Development for Cambodia recognised that NGOs and partners are working to promote equality between genders and to improve education for women. ICT plays an important role here in helping eliminate gender based violence in Cambodia and she acknowledged the Open Institute's efforts in this area and the understanding that ICT must always be helpful and not harmful. Mrs. Chim Mannavy, Executive Director of the Open institute, stated that gender based violence is still persist, and that women still need to talk about these issues. ICT plays an important role here e.g. mobiles and the internet because information to help eliminate gender based violence can be communicated. But ICT also can be used to abuse women, a new form of violence against women. ICT is effective if used properly and the Open Institute is working with the government and other organisations to ensure that is used correctly e.g. to keep track record of gender based violence such as the Ushahidi web site http://gbv.open.org.kh/ . Group discussions then followed where the three following topics were discussed; the status of gender based violence in Cambodia, the most serious problems relating to gender based violence and the strategies for the prevention of gender based violence through ICT or other means. As a result of these group discussions, it was concluded that violence against women and disputes between husbands and wives are a combination of social, economic, physical, emotional and sexual problems and that ICT can function to disseminate information on gender based violence and therefore increase the level of awareness. Discussions then followed on strategies of how to prevent gender based violence through the use of ICT and other methods. It is important that ICT empowers women in a positive way and that it is used effectively to share information and make women more aware of the issues relating to gender based violence including the new form of violence. Women need to speak up more although this is now more evident, especially amongst younger women. Women want gender equality and an improved education and understand the important role ICT will play in this, as well as it helping eliminate gender based violence. In the closing speeches, H. E.Dr. Khiev Serey Vuthea expressed the fact that everybody is working together was praised, So as to achieve the same goal of endeavoring to reduce the problem of gender based violence in Cambodia. The long term aim is to eliminate gender based violence and ICT used positively and in an effective way can do much to achieve this. The valuable work that the Open Institute, together with other organizations, partners and NGOs are doing in this area was duly recognized. For more information in Khmer, please click here
 
Documentation:
 

 

Panelist at the forum on the Use of ICT for Gender Based Violence (GBV) Prevention. Panelist: Moderator: Mrs. Keo Kheang, Country Director of Heifer International Cambodia. 1. H.E.Dr. Khiev Serey Vuthea, Director General of Ministry of Women's Affairs. 2. Mrs. Ros Sopheap, Executive Director of the Gender and Development for Cambodia. 3. Mrs. Chim Manavy, Executive Director of the Open Institute. Phnom Penh 14th march, 2013 Photo by Open Institute.

H.E.Dr. Khiev Serey Vuthea, Director General of Ministry of Women's Affairs reporting incidents of Gender Based Violence in Cambodia. Phnom Penh 14th march, 2013 Photo by Open Institute.

Ms. Sok Sokunthea, Project Manager presentation on Gender Based Violence project in the forum in the use of ICT for Gender Based violence Prevention. Phnom Penh 14th march, 2013 Photo by Open Institute.

Ms. Say Sakunthea, GIZ-ATJW advisor, raised the questions about the use of Ushahidi for Gender Based Violence reporting. Phnom Penh 14th march, 2013 Photo by Open Institute.

Mr. Chan Sok neang, Drama editor of CCIM presentation on the most serious problem of Gender based Violence in Cambodia. Phnom Penh 14th march, 2013 Photo by Open Institute.

Ms. Duch Malin, Yeag Commune chief, Pok district Siem Reap Province, a representative of group discussion presented on the situation of Gender Based Violence in Cambodia. Phnom Penh 14th march, 2013 Photo by Open Institute.

 

English

Category: