Op-Ed: Land as a Lifeline for Cambodian Women

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"I don’t know what to do. I can’t write. I’m not in their group [i.e. in the 'ksae' [network] of powerful land owners]. So what can I do? Now they have already got the land. Now there is no hope of getting it back. I’ve lost hope” said a woman from Kampong Chhnang,  Tuek Phor district.

This interview from one research study illustrate the corruption in land deals, which typically involves bribery and collusion between government officials and private companies. These practices often result in the illegal seizure of land from poor communities. 

The Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO) reports that over 2.1 million hectares of land have been handed over to industrial agriculture firms and foreign investors.

Corrupt land grabbing in Cambodia is a pervasive issue that affects the lives of many citizens. While both men and women suffer from its consequences, women are generally more severely impacted. This disparity stems from women’s economic dependence on land.

Economic Dependence on Land

In Cambodia, land is not just a piece of property; it is a vital resource that sustains livelihoods, especially for rural communities.

Women, who make up a significant portion of the agricultural workforce, rely heavily on land for their economic survival. According to a 2015 World Bank report on Gender in Cambodia’s Agriculture, around 2.3 million families are farmers, and a staggering 75% of them are women.

When land is forcibly taken through corrupt means, these women lose their primary source of livelihood. This loss is particularly devastating for female-headed households, which are already economically vulnerable. Without land, these women have few alternatives to sustain their families, leading to increased poverty and food insecurity.

Take the story of Chim Sophat from Pramar village in Kratie province. She's a single mother with two children, and after a brutal land grabbing and a prolonged conflict, her life took a harsh turn. Sophat now works for a rubber company, earning a meager USD 120 per month, to support her family. 

This is a stark contrast to the stability her farmland once provided. The authorities offered a relocation site, but it was over 100 kilometers away from their home. The Pramar community, including Sophat, rejected this impractical plan and continues to fight for their rights.

This case reveals that the loss of land doesn’t just uproot the individual; it sends shockwaves through the entire family. The responsibility of ensuring there’s food on the table and caring for the household falls heavily on the women. This added burden amplifies their economic vulnerability, creating a vicious cycle of hardship.

Final Thought:

In Cambodia, the land is more than property; it’s a lifeline.

And for women like Chim Sophat, the struggle to protect this lifeline is a fight for their very survival and the future of their families.

The corruption entrenched in Cambodia’s land deals—marked by bribery and collusion between government officials and private companies—has led to the illegal seizure of land from poor communities.

The impact of this land-grabbing crisis is deeply felt across the country, but it is women who bear the heaviest burden. 

It is not just about losing land; it is about losing livelihoods, security, and hope. Yet, despite these immense challenges, these women continue to fight for justice and dignity.