Phnom Penh –

“He used brutal violence against me. … He hit me. He grabbed me by the neck. I was really uncomfortable and mentally unstable when I was with him.”

Thach Chanty, a 35-year-old woman from Kampong Cham province in southeastern Cambodia, recalled her life with her ex-husband. “I almost burst into tears.”

Shanti, a garment worker, is now struggling to support her two children after a marriage she said was filled with neglect and violence.

Escaping a brutal life leaves her alone in a society that still views divorced women as failing in their primary social roles of wife and mother. Shanti found comfort in the support of her family.

“After divorcing my husband, I felt sad for my two sons,” she said. “A lot of people thought I was divorced, but luckily my parents and sister have always supported me.”

A recent report titled part waysreleased in late 2023 by the small non-profit organization Klahaan, reveals Dilemmas faced by divorced women in Cambodia. In addition to experiencing severe social stigma and judgment, divorced women are more likely to face financial and mental problems than their ex-husbands, the report said.

The report also found that since a November 2015 study conducted by the Cambodian Ministry of Statistics in conjunction with United Nations agencies found that approximately 20% of Cambodian women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner in a relationship, including marriage. , the situation has barely changed. The report also found that one in three women were emotionally abused, with violence often occurring in the presence of children and with few victims seeking help.

Gender differences after divorce

The Klahaan study was conducted online and involved 40 female and male participants from the capital Phnom Penh and remote areas including Ratanakiri and Kep provinces. Among the participants, 22 women reported being divorced.

The study revealed significant gender differences after divorce. The majority of participants (87%) said women suffered a greater burden of shame or shame after divorce, while only 1% believed men were more affected than their partners.

The report also highlighted regional differences: 48% of respondents believed rural women were more disproportionately affected after divorce, while 8% believed urban women faced social stigma and judgment.

Klahaan founder Mao Map told VOA Khmer that the new study, based on the FPAR method, aims to resolve the controversial issue of divorce options for women and men.

According to Mao Tu, there is a widespread belief in Cambodia that women can only marry once in their lives – a belief that affects people’s views on divorce. To support women, Mautu is pushing for government policies to speed up divorce proceedings, reduce the need for court mediation, and strengthen protections for women’s health by eliminating victim blaming by law enforcement.

Sar Sineth, spokesperson for the Cambodian Ministry of Women’s Affairs, emphasized that the government is committed to helping women and girls who have experienced violence, especially those going through divorce and dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. She said the ministry was coordinating closely with government and legal systems to provide prompt support.

“We are working to expedite proceedings… to provide legal aid… to victims of divorce due to long-term violence,” she said. “By providing lawyers, the National Women’s Action Committee has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Law Society to support victims and provide prompt services.”

When asked by VOA Khmer for details about how women can access these services, Sal Sines did not respond.

Infidelity leads to divorce

Research shows that infidelity is an important factor affecting women’s decision to divorce, with 81% of respondents considering “cheating and affairs” as a possible reason for women to choose divorce. In contrast, only 68% of respondents chose the same answer for men.

One participant stated that while her husband began to be unfaithful to her soon after their marriage, after the child was born, “he took it too far—he took her to sleep in the house we built together. Finally, I decided to sell the house and get divorced.”

Sachi Shanti says she no longer cares what others think about her divorce to escape violence and focus on her son.

“Initially, when I was thinking about divorce, I cried and sometimes even considered taking my own life,” she said. “But now, I have given up these thoughts and live a normal life. My wish is to do everything for my children.”