Women's Justice Program

Overview

In 2006 Legal Aid of Cambodia decided to add a third focused program to their services, a program focusing on the plight of women in conflict with the law in Cambodia. Recognizing the special approach required for gender-sensitive representation and advocacy, this program provides legal aid to poor women.
Cambodian women face a challenging array of cultural imbalances that make their position a difficult one in legal as well as societal arenas. LAC is dedicated to helping correct these imbalances through advocacy and representation, and through the application of an equality-minded and gender-sensitive rule of law.

LAC services for women

Currently there are three legal LAC teams who provide this service for women. The teams operate in Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu and Siem Reap. LAC works in close cooperation with the Maisons de la Justice, a mediation initiative of the UNDP, and the Department of the Women Affaires in these provinces. In case mediations are not successful, the Maisons de la Justice refer the female clients to LAC.
LAC also informs and educates women in the three provinces so that they are more aware of their rights.
Furthermore LAC accepts women who come directly to LAC for legal aid to assist them in divorce and domestic violence cases.
LAC has a database containing all cases with women in order to contribute to the statistical information regarding women’s rights in Cambodia and the prevalence of violence against women. This information is valuable so that LAC and other NGOs can advocate for change in Khmer society and improve the position of women. LAC also organizes a yearly workshop with stakeholders who work on women’s rights in order to assess constraints and best practices in order to further the position of women in Cambodia.

Legal Representation for Women