We, a group of civil society organizations, including associations, unions and non-governmental organizations working to promote labor rights, women's rights and gender equality in Cambodia, are launching a celebration of this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (the “16 Days Campaign”) under the theme “Empowering Rights of Women and Girls to Be Free from All Forms of Violence and Harassment.”

The planned actions aim to raise awareness about the 16 Days Campaign, and provide opportunities for women activists and human rights defenders (WHRDs) working on gender and in other areas to call for the challenges they face to be addressed and to raise key messages and requests. Throughout the campaign, women activists and WHRDs will request and urge the Royal Government to strictly respect and protect human rights, especially those of WHRDs, and to effectively address the challenges faced by women and girls across Cambodia.

We are pleased to inform the public and invite them to join us in celebrating this day online and in person, as shared in the following schedule of activities:

• On November 25, 2024, we are issuing a press release to launch this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
• From November 25 to December 10, 2024, we will host radio and live broadcasts on partners' Facebook pages addressing a variety of topics.
• From November 25 to December 10, 2024, we will release a series of short videos covering 16 key needs and demands of women and girls.
• On November 25, 2024, we will post a campaign photo frame on Facebook for social media users to download and use on their Facebook profile.
• From November 25 to November 29, 2024, we will publish posters counting down the number of days until the event at Phnom Penh’s Freedom Park.
• From November 25 to November 29, 2024, we will host online question and answer sessions addressing topics that have been raised throughout the 16 Days Campaign.
• On November 27, 2024, we will publish a poster inviting the public to gather in person at Phnom Penh’s Freedom Park on December 1.
• On December 1, 2024, we will hold an in-person gathering of about 500 people at Phnom Penh’s Freedom Park, under the theme Empowering Rights of Women and Girls to Be Free from All Forms of Violence and Harassment.
• From November 25 to December 9, 2024, we will continue releasing videos highlighting additional demands of women and girls.

This joint statement is endorsed by:
1. Cambodian Tourism Workers Union Federation (CTWUF)
2. Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU)
3. Cambodian Food and Service Workers’ Federation (CFSWF)
4. Cambodian Alliance of Trade Union (CATU)
5. Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association (IDEA)
6. Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL)
7. Cambodian Youth Network (CYN)
8. Equitable Cambodia (EC)
9. Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC)
10. Sahmakum Teang Tnaut Organization (STT)
11. Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR)
12. Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO)
13. Klahaan Organization (Klahaan)
14. Cambodian NGO Committee on CEDAW (NGO-CEDAW)
15. Independent Trade Union Federation (INTUFE)
16. Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (COMFREL)
17. ActionAid Cambodia (AAC)
18. Coalition for Partnership in Democratic Development (CPDD)
19. Rural Women’s Association for Agroecology (RWAA)

For more information, please contact:
▪ OU Tephallin via phone at (+855) 11 984 883 or email at president@cfswf.org
▪ KEO Chanra via phone at (+855) 98 852 260
▪ LIM Borin via phone at (+855) 12 904 266 or email at borin.lim@cchrcambodia.org

PDF: Download full statement in English - Download full statement in Khmer