Gender and Development

Cambodia: One Step Forward for Women in Agriculture

The Cambodia gender policy in agriculture was launched in March 2006, by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), H.E. Chan Sarun, at an Annual Conference on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries chaired by the Prime Minister. The agriculture gender policy recognizes the pivotal role of women in agriculture and production. It was prepared following extensive community consultations in Kompong Cham, Kompong Som, Battambang and Kratie provinces, and provincial regional workshops. As a result, gender issues were incorporated in the Government's Agricultural Sector Strategic Development Plan for 2006-2007.

Launch of the Cambodia Gender Policy in Agriculture. Photo courtesy of ADB Today, 2006

An ADB technical assistance linked to the agriculture sector development program provided support for the preparation of the agriculture gender policy. It was a result of close collaboration between MAFF and the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA). This partnership between a sector agency and MOWA is a first and critical step in the path towards translating gender mainstreaming rhetoric into reality and action.

The agricultural sector program loan highlights policy support in the following areas: (i) better access to land, water and agricultural inputs, (ii) improved efficiency of rubber production, and (iii) facilitated agricultural commercialization through policy and institutional reform.

Women account for more than half of the primary workforce in subsistence and market-oriented agriculture. Women contribute about 65% of agricultural labor and 75% in fisheries production, especially in processing and marketing. However, their access to improved knowledge and technology, and productive resources, including financial services, is limited due to their unrecognized social role, low literacy and socio-cultural traditions.

Neglecting gender issues in the agriculture sector development program was not an option. Hence, one of the policy actions required for the release of the second tranche included the development of a sector-wide gender policy and strategy with specific action plans. The policy and action plan has resulted in:

• establishment of the Gender Unit in MAFF (3 men, 4 women) chaired by the Undersecretary of State;
• mainstreaming gender in other 7 ASDP working groups;
• development of a three year work plan to implement the MAFF Gender Policy funded under ASDP;
• integration of gender training in all three agricultural schools;
• including gender in MAFF staff induction training (50 men, 5 women);
• successful promotion of women to decision-making positions (16 women including 6 at the provincial level);
• gender related articles featured in MAFF quarterly newsletters in 2006; and
• organization of 15 consultation meetings and workshops related to gender in agriculture with the participation of 6217 people (198 farmers including 109 women and 419 staff including 260 women).

An English version of the Gender Policy for Agriculture is due for release soon. For more information, contact Samvada Kheng, Cambodia Resident Mission.