Law to ban 'inappropriate' dress in Cambodia seen threatening women's freedoms

[geovalin]

PHNOM PENH, July 31 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A proposed law that would let Cambodian police fine people deemed to be dressed inappropriately could be used to curtail women's freedoms and reinforce a culture of impunity around sexual violence, rights campaigners say.

The draft legislation, which will take effect next year if approved by several government ministries and the national assembly, would ban men from going out shirtless and stop women from wearing anything "too short" or "too see-through."

While billed by the government as a way to preserve national traditions, critics fear the law will be used as a tool to control and oppress women in the socially conservative country.

Campaign to cover up in the name of tradition encourages culture of victim-blaming, rights groups say

 

"In recent months, we've seen the policing of women's bodies and clothing from the highest levels of government, belittling women's rights to bodily autonomy and self-expression, and placing blame on women for violence committed against them," said Chak Sopheap, executive director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights charity.

 

"I'm apprehensive that this will be disproportionately used against women exercising their fundamental freedoms," she added.

But Ouk Kimlekh, an interior ministry secretary of state leading the drafting process, said the legislation was needed to preserve traditional culture.

"It's good to wear something no shorter than the middle of the thighs," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

 

"It's not entirely a matter of public order, it's a matter of tradition and custom," he said.

Earlier this year, a woman was sentenced to six months in prison on pornography and indecent exposure charges after ignoring official warnings to wear less revealing outfits while selling clothing and cosmetics over a Facebook live stream.

 

Her arrest came days after Prime Minister Hun Sen called for authorities to track down women using provocative sales pitches, which he said sullied Cambodian culture and encouraged sexual abuse.

 

Rights groups have slammed the crackdown, warning that the new law could put women at further risk of sexual harassment and violence by fostering a culture of victim-blaming.

 

"Reprimanding women for their clothing choices serves to reinforce the notion that women are to blame for sexual violence they suffer, and thereby further entrenches the culture of impunity which exists in relation to gender-based violence," said Ming Yu Hah, deputy director of Amnesty International in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

Many Cambodians still expect women to be submissive and quiet, a legacy of the Chbap Srey - an oppressive code of conduct for women that the United Nations said last year should be "fully eliminated" from schools.

 

It called the code a "root cause of the disadvantaged position of women."

The centuries-old code, which was part of the school curriculum until 2007, teaches women to be obedient and stipulates how they should present themselves.

"The invocation of 'national tradition' begs the question: who is defining 'tradition', on what basis, and to what ends?" Ming Yu Hah said.

 

- -   - -    REUTERS

[Pilotman]

More BS in the name of 'culture', when it is really discrimination and control.  Another reason not to consider Cambodia as a destination for anything much. 

[BritManToo]

I don't have a problem with this, women clearly need some restrictions imposed on their behaviour.

All Muslim countries do this, and nobody complains, why can't Cambodia make a few restrictions?

I applaud countries making a stand against inappropriate behaviour, for both men and women.

Edited August 1, 2020 by BritManToo

[Pilotman]

Just now, BritManToo said:

I don't have a problem with this, women clearly need some restrictions imposed on their behaviour.

All Muslim countries do this, and nobody complains, why can't Cambodia make a few restrictions?

I hope you are joking? 

[scammed]

23 hours ago, Pilotman said:

I hope you are joking? 

you need to go to satire dot com and do the online course 

[Pilotman]

6 minutes ago, scammed said:

you need to go to satire dot com and do the online course 

Sarcasm I understand, but you can never always tell with many people on TVF.  

[jaiyen]

But men walk around bare chested and wearing shorts.  

[Burma Bill]

On 8/1/2020 at 8:42 AM, Pilotman said:

More BS in the name of 'culture', when it is really discrimination and control.  Another reason not to consider Cambodia as a destination for anything much. 

Thanks for your comments but everyone is entitled to their own opinion and if ever there was "discrimination and control" you have only got to look across the border from here in Cambodia to Thailand with its military and pro-military government! Cambodia is an excellent destination for retirees who do not want the bureaucratic paperwork and  excessive financial demands, reasons for me leaving Thailand.

[Dap]

On 8/1/2020 at 8:45 AM, BritManToo said:

I don't have a problem with this, women clearly need some restrictions imposed on their behaviour.

Whoa! And exactly who are you to have any say at all about what anyone chooses to wear anywhere at all other than that person themselves?? I would not and do not take kindly to anyone telling me how to dress myself. Although it doesn't come across as such, you may be applying a heavy dose of sarcasm and if so, I spoke/wrote unknowingly.

Edited August 3, 2020 by Dap

[ChipButty]

 teaches women to be obedient, should make it a law in Thailand

[colinneil]

Just now, ChipButty said:

 teaches women to be obedient, should make it a law in Thailand

Hope your wife/gf dont read what you just posted, or the ducks might be getting fed.????

[Mac98]

34 minutes ago, jaiyen said:

But men walk around bare chested and wearing shorts.  

That would also be banned. I guess men swimming shirtless would be allowed. 

[Burma Bill]

To put this "inappropriate dress" into perspective, this is the main reason why (quote from article below) which caused public furor here in Cambodia at the time:-

 

"Earlier this year, a woman was sentenced to six months in prison on pornography and indecent exposure charges after ignoring official warnings to wear less revealing outfits while selling clothing and cosmetics over a Facebook live stream"

 

The clothing being advertised and modeled by the lady was rather erotic lingerie.

 

[holy cow cm]

Hun Sen is stiffening his iron grip same as a certain privy group are doing here in Thailand and the Xi and his communist group in China. There needs to be a stand up against all this BS in every country.

[BritManToo]

43 minutes ago, Dap said:

Whoa! And exactly who are you to have any say at all about what anyone chooses to wear anywhere at all other than that person themselves?? I would not and do not take kindly to anyone telling me how to dress myself. Although it doesn't come across as such, you may be applying a heavy dose of sarcasm and if so, I spoke/wrote unknowingly.

I'm just agreeing with the government.

I have absolutely no say about anything, anywhere in the world, I don't even get to choose my own socks and underwear.

 

Nobody ever disappeared in Cambodia for agreeing with the government.

Edited August 3, 2020 by BritManToo

[Pilotman]

11 minutes ago, holy cow cm said:

Hun Sen is stiffening his iron grip same as a certain privy group are doing here in Thailand and the Xi and his communist group in China. There needs to be a stand up against all this BS in every country.

and how do you propose that anyone does that? Guns against guns? 

[Bender Rodriguez]

boomers ruling the world everywhere and this backwards thinking give power to abusers

[holy cow cm]

40 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

and how do you propose that anyone does that? Guns against guns? 

Matter of fact. Yes.

[BritManToo]

15 minutes ago, holy cow cm said:

Matter of fact. Yes.

You want people to die (probably hundreds or thousands) so women can show a bit more cleavage if they want?

Edited August 3, 2020 by BritManToo

[Pilotman]

1 hour ago, jaiyen said:

But men walk around bare chested and wearing shorts.  

In these repressive cultures,  and there are a lot of them around the World, it's always the woman who suffer and usually the orphaned, the minorities and the mentally ill, while the men just do what they like, often drunk, whoring around and act like the quintessential hypocrites that they are.  It's stone age thinking, by cultures that are but a stones throw away from 'Peking Man'.  In comparison, despite its obvious issues, Thailand and the Thai culture is like a beacon of enlightenment. That is why of course, we often see the men of these cultures getting off aircraft at BKK ready to 'party'. 

[RichardColeman]

On 8/1/2020 at 2:45 AM, BritManToo said:

All Muslim countries do this, and nobody complains, why can't Cambodia make a few restrictions?

Be honest, I'm more offended by muslim dress than scantily clad women

[holy cow cm]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

You want people to die (probably hundreds or thousands) so women can show a bit more cleavage if they want?

No, it is not just about that. It encompasses iron fisted power control on the whole and freedoms going out the window to self serve an ego or two or group at the top. More to it than that, but oppression and suppression and silencing are  becoming a norm again and it should be met with sheer resistance. I do not believe that we as people should have outlandish suppressive controlling silencing laws telling us what to do. I am getting older now and my wild reckless abandoned life is maybe getting near over, but it is my kids and their kids I am thinking about. Somethings come with a price.

[BritManToo]

Just now, holy cow cm said:

No, it is not just about that. It encompasses iron fisted power control on the whole and freedoms going out the window to self serve an ego or two or group at the top. More to it than that, but oppression and suppression and silencing are  becoming a norm again and it should be met with sheer resistance. I do not believe that we as people should have outlandish suppressive controlling silencing laws telling us what to do. I am getting older now and my wild reckless abandoned life is maybe getting near over, but it is my kids and their kids I am thinking about. Somethings come with a price.

I can't see it myself.

Cambodia appears more free that the UK where I was born.

Just a different set of freedoms, generally benefiting men more and women less.

Which is the opposite to the freedoms in the UK, that give women everything and demonise white heterosexual men.

[thaibeachlovers]

On 8/1/2020 at 1:27 PM, geovalin said:

The draft legislation, which will take effect next year if approved by several government ministries and the national assembly, would ban men from going out shirtless and stop women from wearing anything "too short" or "too see-through."

Seems to me that it affects men equally, so why is it just bad for women?

Men, especially in Asian countries don't normally go around in provocative clothing anyway. If they wandered around in nothing but a thong I'm sure the legislation would affect that too.

 

[thaibeachlovers]

13 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I can't see it myself.

Cambodia appears more free that the UK where I was born.

Just a different set of freedoms, generally benefiting men more and women less.

Which is the opposite to the freedoms in the UK, that give women everything and demonise white heterosexual men.

Couldn't say that in public in the UK. If one did the PC police would give it large.

 

I was once on a songtheaw in Chiang Mai speaking to a mixed group of English youths. When I said that I was divorced and the wife got it all, the guys all agreed non verbally and if looks could kill the women would have reduced me to a cinder. English men know what is going on but are too afraid to speak out, IMO.

[JeffersLos]

On 8/1/2020 at 8:42 AM, Pilotman said:

Another reason not to consider Cambodia as a destination for anything much. 

I like the cleanliness of the place, combined with the decent morals of the expats there. 

[thaibeachlovers]

26 minutes ago, holy cow cm said:

No, it is not just about that. It encompasses iron fisted power control on the whole and freedoms going out the window to self serve an ego or two or group at the top. More to it than that, but oppression and suppression and silencing are  becoming a norm again and it should be met with sheer resistance. I do not believe that we as people should have outlandish suppressive controlling silencing laws telling us what to do. I am getting older now and my wild reckless abandoned life is maybe getting near over, but it is my kids and their kids I am thinking about. Somethings come with a price.

Feel free to take up arms for women's right to wear revealing clothing then. Just don't expect many if any Cambodians of either sex to support your cause, IMO.

[thaibeachlovers]

30 minutes ago, holy cow cm said:

No, it is not just about that. It encompasses iron fisted power control on the whole and freedoms going out the window to self serve an ego or two or group at the top. More to it than that, but oppression and suppression and silencing are  becoming a norm again and it should be met with sheer resistance.

Iron fisted power control IS the norm in human existence. The freedoms we have had are the aberration, and will probably be over not long after I pass, IMO.

It's not that long ago a world famous model ( Jean Shrimpton ) was attacked by Australian media and society  for going to the races with a dress just above the knee.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

15 hours ago, BritManToo said:

demonise white heterosexual men.

 You poor victim you!!  Abused by women throughout your life... How have you possibly survived???  

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

15 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

When I said that I was divorced and the wife got it all, the guys all agreed non verbally and if looks could kill the women would have reduced me to a cinder. English men know what is going on but are too afraid to speak out, IMO.

 

Another male victim, abused by those big bad women who rule the world...  Poor sod...

 

You were forced to marry with a gun held to your head, right? Enslaved, brutalized into marriage????