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A drag artist is standing outside of a club in Phnom Penh. The LGBT rights movement in Cambodia is growing.

Cambodia

RFSU has been supporting organisations in Cambodia for more than a decade. Although homosexuality and abortion are legal, there is still much progress to be made.

In Cambodia, abortion is legal. The government also supports comprehensive sexuality education, which has been part of the curriculum for only a few years. On social media, there is a feminist mobilisation and a rethinking of conservative gender roles. The LGBT movement in the country is growing.

At the same time, few are aware that abortion is legal in the country and stigma is widespread. Homosexuality is not criminalised but discrimination is widespread. Cambodia's previous violent history, with decades of civil war, still characterises the country. Despite major improvements in health and education, poverty remains widespread. Like many countries in the region, Cambodia is moving towards increasingly authoritarian rule and a diminishing space for social rights.

Comprehensive sexuality education has been included in the Cambodian school curriculum for just a few years. Here is a classroom of students during an RHAC outreach.

RFSU's work in Cambodia

RFSU has been supporting organisations in Cambodia for over ten years. RFSU has even helped to revise the Cambodian curriculum, as sexuality education is now a compulsory subject in the curriculum. RFSU also supports teacher training in Cambodia, providing future educators with the necessary tools to address issues relevant to young people.

Rachana Bunn is the founder of the feminist Cambodian organisation Klahaan.

Partner organisations in Cambodia

RFSU works with four organisations in Cambodia.

Rainbow Community Kampuchea (RoCK)

RoCK was established in 2009. RoCK is the first officially recognised LGBT rights organisation in Cambodia. Currently, they have around 1,500 members and several employees. They aim to change societal values through educational campaigns and advocate for the implementation of laws to support their cause.

RHAC's youth educators provide age-appropriate information about puberty, emotions, and relationships.

Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC)

Founded in 1996, RHAC is a leading organisation in Cambodia focused on making SRHR accessible to all. It provides services across 19 of Cambodia’s 25 provinces. RHAC addresses critical issues like gender-based violence while advocating for improved health services at both national and community levels. By investing in information and communication technology (ICT) —tools like computers and mobile systems—RHAC improves efficiency in delivering services. Its youth health program promotes sexuality education, HIV prevention, and community health awareness.

Klahaan

Klahaan is an intersectional feminist organisation that builds evidence, organises, and campaigns on issues affecting women. It advocates for a fair and equal society where Cambodian women of all backgrounds enjoy fundamental rights, particularly sexual autonomy. The organisation uses online campaigns to engage young people, conducts feminist participatory action research, creates digital content to change attitudes on women's rights, and contribute to collective actions to strengthen the feminist movement in Cambodia.

The Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR)

CCHR is a human rights organisation that focuses on advocacy, community empowerment, and networking with other NGOs. In collaboration with RFSU, CCHR aims to improve legislative policies and advocate for changes to better protect the human rights of LGBT individuals. This project will engage with politicians, community-based organizations, and NGOs to achieve its goals.

The textile industry in Cambodia employs many women. Im Sophal works as a health educator at RHAC and here she is conducting an outreach activity during a factory lunch break.