Final Evaluation: CEDAW Advocacy and Community Education to End Violence Against Women (Cambodia)

Location: Cambodia

Grantee : Cambodian Health and Education for Community (CHEC)

Grant period: August 2022 – Sep 2025

Grant amount:  $650,531

Authors/editors:  Mrs. KHORN Dinravy, Mr. IN Samrithy, Mr. THOVY Hsandy, Mrs. MAFFII Margherita A. G.

Evaluation year: 2025

Summary

In Cambodia, where violence against women and girls (VAWG), stigma, and unequal access to health and protection services disproportionately affect youth, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer (LGBTIQ) individuals, and women with low income, Cambodian Health and Education for Community (CHEC) implemented a multilevel strategy to prevent violence and strengthen institutional accountability between 2022 and 2025. The initiative combined youth awareness dialogues, community education sessions, civil society networking, and training of local and national authorities to improve knowledge of VAWG, expand access to services, and enhance implementation of the Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and national VAWG laws. 

Key findings

• HIV test uptake increased 45.6% for youth and 22.7% for LGBTIQ participants from baseline (study) to endline (survey).
• 7% of survivors reported improved safety and autonomy; 68% agreed that access to services (health, legal, psychosocial) had improved.
• Recognition of what constitutes verbal abuse increased 42.5 percentage points from 41.5% to 84.0% at the endline survey; while recognition of forced sex by an intimate partner increased 28.8 percentage points from 7.2% to 36%.
• Teachers reporting complete confidence to deliver comprehensive sexual education increased from 0% to 54.9%.
• 3% of survivors believe police, community-based educators, and local actors will continue support to survivors, while 78% of CEDAW NGOs rated the initiative as sustainable.

Overall, the initiative strengthened individual agency, expanded access to essential services, and reinforced institutional accountability, laying the groundwork for sustained progress in VAWG prevention and response across participating communities.

“I feel safer as we now understand our rights and know how to address problems and stand up for ourselves. We observed that village and commune authorities are working more effectively than before and that law enforcement has become stronger. Some men have also shown positive change, no longer using violence or engaging in frequent arguments as they did in the past.” - Focus Group Discussion with VAWG survivors