How do we empower women to take care of themselves while taking care of the world around them?

Author Name: Rachna Thim

Background: A storyteller and independent writer

Over fifty years ago, Charlotte Whitton, a pioneering feminist and the first female mayor of a major Canadian city, made a pointed remark: “Whatever women do, they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good.” Historically, there is no shortage of hardworking women, as women continue to be strong in a world where they are still obstructed by limited resources, less power, and less influence than men.

Over the past two decades, Cambodia has made significant strides in promoting gender equality. While women’s representation in leadership and security sectors has increased, the broader distribution of rights, voice, and access to resources remains questionable, amid growing concerns and resistance to gender equality initiatives. According to the Asia Foundation’s AMPLIFY Report, a political-economy analysis in Cambodia indicates that gender policy is often influenced by a centralised state system that prioritises economic growth over inclusive development. In this context, narratives of “peace” and “development” tend to view gender as a technical issue or an additional indicator rather than as a vital component of transformative social justice. This framing can result in important gender concerns being sidelined in favour of broader economic objectives.

In Cambodian culture, deeply ingrained patriarchal norms, which further complicate women’s experiences and opportunities, contribute to women working four times more than men on unpaid work and domestic chores. Patriarchy, defined as a social system in which men hold primary power and authority, continues to hinder progress (Nash, 2009). Meanwhile, capitalism operates on profit maximisation, which encourages businesses to minimise costs, including labour expenses. More often than not, patriarchy frames caregiving as a natural duty of women, rendering their unpaid contributions less significant and often invisible. Consequently, this arrangement keeps the economy functioning but comes at the expense of women’s time, health, and opportunities.

While it is important to acknowledge the potential and strength of women, it is equally - if not more - critical to recognise the systemic barriers they face to be valued and reach their full potential. Recognising systematic barriers involves understanding how structural inequalities, often exacerbated by capitalism, affect diverse groups within society. Even globally, the spotlight often shines on a few selected women who enjoy advantages based on their race, socioeconomic status, religion, and citizenship in affluent nations.

If decision-makers only focus on the average family without considering the varied experiences of single mothers, migrant workers, or families living in rural areas, they risk overlooking critical needs. For instance, consider the experience of garment factory workers in Cambodia, a sector in which the majority are women. These workers, often from rural backgrounds, face low wages, challenging working conditions, and limited opportunities for advancement. An intersectional approach would recognise that these women's experiences are shaped not only by their gender but also by their socioeconomic status, rural origins, and potential lack of education. Nevertheless, even the strongest among women cannot overcome the persistent gender pay gaps, hindered career advancement, or the challenges that come with motherhood. They also contend with inadequate systems for addressing gender-based harassment and violence, whether in the workplace, at home, or through legal channels. 

Celebrating women's strength without examining the burdens they carry misses a crucial point: the structural barriers, including existing educational and economic systems, which may favour urban populations over rural ones, making it more difficult for rural residents to access quality education or job opportunities. The barriers continue to perpetuate gender inequality and hinder women from realising their full potential.  Achieving gender equality involves celebrating women's successes while addressing structural barriers that add pressure on them, potentially leading to a double or triple burden of unpaid care work and societal expectations. This dynamic mirrors critiques of second-wave feminism, which primarily focused on middle-class white women's experiences, often neglecting the intersectional challenges faced by women of colour and marginalised groups. This gap highlights a critical disconnect between acknowledgement and action, leaving many of the complexities of women's experiences unrecognised. 

To create meaningful change, we must shift our perspective on gender equality from being solely a woman's responsibility to recognising it as a collective task for everyone, including integrating men and boys in pushing for gender equality. It is vital to move beyond superficial celebrations of women's achievements and engage in a deeper analysis of the societal structures that hinder their progress. Building accountable and equitable governance is not just women’s work; it is a shared obligation that requires all members of society to contribute. Those in positions of political and decision-making power, as well as those with access to resources and influence, must step up and do more heavy lifting.

About the author: Rachna Thim is a passionate storyteller and independent writer from Cambodia with a special interest in sustainability and social equity. With a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication Management and currently pursuing a Master of Science in Sustainability, Society, and Environment from the University of Kiel in Germany, Rachna thrives on curiosity and experimenting with new ideas.