Strengthen the capacity of women to contribute to and benefit from national economic growth and poverty reduction
A Quick Look
Women out number men 1.2 to 1 in Cambodia’s adult population and the rapidly growing labor force present tremendous challenges in employment creation and increased gender equity in economy
It is about 55 percent of the population 25 years of age or older are female. 65 percent of the total population and 44 percent of the labor force is under the age of 25. Cambodia needs to create 250,000 to 275,000 new jobs each year over the next several years to accommodate its rapidly growing working-age population –nearly equivalent to the current total employment in the garment industry. The total number of employed persons increased by 19 percent from 6.2 million in 2001 to 7.5 million 2004; the number of workers in Phone Penh expanded by 53 percent over this same time period.
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Women make significant contribution to economic growth and national income
Cambodia’s female labor force participation rate is high by regional standards at 71 percent of the working age population over 15 years of age (compared to 64 percent in Thailand, 56 percent in Lao PDR, and 49 percent in Indonesia), only exceeded by Vietnam (78 percent) and China (76 percent). Women comprise nearly half the labor force (49.4 percent)
The vast majority of women workers are self-employed or unpaid family workers
It is also 83 percent of female workers are self-employed or unpaid family workers vs.77 percent of male workers. Only 20 percent of employed Cambodians are paid employees-23 percent of male workers and 17 percent of female workers.
There is a clear shift from agriculture to industry and services for both men and women, although with clear gender differences in occupations and industries
Agriculture as the primary industry of employment has declined from 76 percent in 1998 to percent in 2004. New employment opportunities for females have been primarily in the garment industry:
- increasing from 1.4 percent of total female employment in 1998 to 5.5 percent in 2004
- and trade from 9 percent to 19 percent
For males, fishing has become increasingly important as a primary industry along with construction. The proportion of male workers employed in the traditionally male- dominated public administration and defense has declined significantly since 1998 (8.6 percent to 4 percent).
Occupation groups are highly segregated by sex
Men dominate all higher level occupations including legislators, senior officials and managers; professionals; technicians and associate professionals; and fishing; transportation; construction, metal work and the armed forces. Women are more frequently employed than men as clerks; shop and marker sales workers; garment workers; and in weaving; and dressmaking.
There are few alternatives to agriculture and home-based income generating activities for most women living rural areas
It is 99 percent of the poor reside outside of Phnom Penh. Outside of agriculture; women living outside of Phnom Penh are engaged in trade (42 percent of non-agricultural employment) and manufacturing (30 percent) as heir primary occupation. Ninety percent of their manufacturing is in rural areas and would be mostly home-based production. Men are engaged in fishing (19 percent), trade (18 percent), manufacturing (15 percent), pubic services (12 percent), construction (11percent), and transportation (10 percent). Secondary occupations are a key characteristic are a key characteristic of the rural work force.
Responsibility for household work and child care greatly limits employment options for women
Child care is identified as one of the main constraints for women to enter labor market and the need and demand for childcare in both urban and rural areas. (Netra and Sovann 2007). |
Themes
