Heng Molika
(Illustration: Michael Dickison/VOD)

Opinion: Shame Around Premarital Sex Is Making Abortions More Dangerous

Abortions have been legal in Cambodia since 1997, but social, cultural and religious stigmas are preventing women from accessing them in safe settings. Cambodia needs information campaigns that tackle the stigmas keeping women silent, writes Future Forum’s Heng Molika.

A lawmaker votes on legislation at the National Assembly on May 11, 2022.

Opinion: Should Cambodia Adopt a Gender Quota Policy?

Cultural barriers to greater women’s equality in Cambodia require a major shake-up to dislodge, and quotas — whether mandatory or voluntary — have been necessary globally to make even gradual progress, writes Future Forum’s Heng Molika.