How has the role of women evolved in Cambodian society?

 In Cambodia, women hold a central position in society as the keepers of traditions and important economic players. However, they still face inequalities, especially in access to education and employment. Their role is vital in small, family-run spice farms – not only in growing Kampot pepper, but also in preserving traditional knowledge.

Cambodia’s social fabric relies heavily on women, yet their contributions are often overlooked.

Defenders of tradition and family values

 Historically, Cambodian society has been based on strong family values, with women responsible for passing on traditions. They play a vital role in raising children, running the household and preserving cultural heritage – especially through Khmer cuisine and religious ceremonies.

 Women are also vital in preserving Buddhist beliefs, actively participating in rituals and protecting the country’s spiritual heritage. Apsara dance is a cultural symbol of Cambodia and a traditional art form passed down from generation to generation by women.

Important players in the economy

While women are traditionally seen as the breadwinners of the family, they are also vital to the economy.

• Female entrepreneurship: Many women run small businesses, especially selling fruits, vegetables and spices in local markets.
• Agriculture and handicrafts: Women are heavily involved in agriculture and Khmer handicrafts.

Despite their significant contribution, inequalities persist. Many women work in informal jobs, with low wages and no social security.

Access to education is a key factor in the empowerment of women in Cambodia.

Persistent gender inequality

In the past, girls’ education was viewed as inferior to boys’. Although progress has been made due to government and NGO initiatives, inequalities persist. Girls from rural areas still face difficulties in accessing secondary and higher education, and dropout rates remain high due to economic and family constraints.

However, education is key to ensuring employment opportunities and economic independence for women.

According to the Ministry of Education (2022-2023), more than 95% of children are enrolled in primary schools, but the rate of girls enrolment has fallen to 69.4% and the rate of secondary school enrollment has fallen to 60.6%.

There is good news: the secondary school completion rate has risen from 39.1% (40.0% girls, 38.3% boys) in 2013-2014 to 59.7% (64.5% girls, 54.9% boys) in 2022-2023. This improvement is largely due to the construction of new secondary schools in rural areas, which has made education more accessible.

Cambodian society is expected to make progress

Today, more and more women hold positions in administration, education, law and health care. Although cultural barriers still exist, the number of female managers in politics and the private sector is also increasing.

The proportion of women in the public sector has steadily increased, from 35% in 2012 to 41% in 2021. This is largely due to public sector reforms, including a recruitment target of 20 to 50 percent female employees, and a royal decree raising the retirement age for women to 60, allowing them to continue to make voluntary contributions.

Cambodia is famous for Kampot pepper, a special spice grown using traditional methods on our family farms. Women play an important role in every stage of production.

Precision and expertise

At La Plantation, women are actively involved in:

• Hand-picking peppercorns, a process that requires patience and precision.
• Sifting the finest grains to ensure premium standards.
• Packaging and preparing the spice to preserve its freshness and aroma.

Their expertise is essential to maintaining the exceptional quality that has earned Kampot pepper international recognition.

Protecting Ancestral Traditions

The production of Kampot pepper follows centuries-old agricultural techniques passed down from generation to generation. Women are key to preserving this heritage, carefully training new workers in pepper cultivation and processing.

At La Plantation, we value gender equality and improved working conditions.

Fair Trade Business Model

As a member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), La Plantation adheres to strict ethical standards to ensure a safe and inclusive work environment:

•  Equal pay and equal opportunities: Women and men receive the same pay and the same career opportunities.
• Protection from harassment: training and safe spaces are provided.
• Better working conditions: safe work, regular breaks and full respect for employee rights.

Empowering women through employment

By working at La Plantation, many women have gained financial independence and enjoy the following benefits:

• Fair wages enable them to support their families.
• Social security, including free healthcare, paid maternity leave and retirement benefits.
• Three free meals a day guarantee your health every day.

This stability improves their quality of life and strengthens their role in the community.

Although challenges remain, concrete initiatives are helping to improve the lives of Cambodian women. Access to education remains one of the most powerful tools to break the cycle of inequality and create opportunities for young girls.

LES ÉCOLES DE LA PLANTATION: INVESTING IN EDUCATION

This commitment naturally led to the creation of Les Écoles de La Plantation, an NGO dedicated to educating rural children in Kampot. For more than a decade, this initiative has provided high-quality education from primary school to university to 120 children in Phnom Penh each year.
By supporting these young students, especially girls, Plantation School is helping to shape a future where Cambodian women have better career opportunities and financial independence.

Women are at the heart of Cambodian society, economy and traditions. At La Plantation, we are committed to ensuring fair working conditions, preserving traditional knowledge and supporting the education of future generations through Les Écoles de La Plantation.