Women Parliamentary Candidates Increase

Pich Samnang, VOA Khmer
Thursday, 03 July 2008

[Editor's note: In the weeks leading into national polls, VOA Khmer will explore a wide number of election issues. The "Election Issues 2008" series will air stories on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by a related "Hello VOA" guest on Thursday. This is the second in a two-part series examining the role of women in politics.]

Two of the three political parties with seats in parliament have boosted the number of women candidates in their ranks for July's election.

The Cambodian People's Party added six candidates to its ticket this election, up from 14 in 2003; the Sam Rainsy Party added three, also up from 14 last election.

For One Woman, a Journey Into Politics

Pich Samnang, VOA Khmer
Wednesday, 02 July 2008

[Editor's note: In the weeks leading into national polls, VOA Khmer will explore a wide number of election issues. The "Election Issues 2008" series will air stories on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by a related "Hello VOA" guest on Thursday. This is the first in a two-part series examining the role of women in politics.]

Chhan Samnang came to Phnom Penh in 1979 as a vendor of fried banana cakes, following the collapse of the Khmer Rogue. Now 51 years old, Chhan Samnang is a commune council member in Phnom Penh's Russei Keo district. If possible, she plans to do even more, by entering national politics one day.

Chhan Samnang is one example of the few women in local politics, where only 15 percent of commune council members are women. Even so, she one day hopes to be a representative at the national level, where 22 of the 123 members of the National Assembly are women.