Exploring Masculinities in Cambodia

In collaboration with “Masculinities in Asia: What About the Boys?”, this collection explores the intimate intersections of gender and identity in Cambodia. Through Kong Sreynou’s critique of gendered stereotypes, we examine the invisible walls built around us.

Through video interviews with Seng Sok Serey and the video "Blooming Boyond the Trauma" by Vart Van, we move beyond theory into lived experience. These are stories of transformation, where masculinity is no longer a cage, but a space for reflection and change.

Redefining Gender: How Hip Hop Challenges Cambodia's Traditional Gender Codes

In Cambodia, gender roles are traditionally anchored in the Chbab Srey and Chbab Proh—ancient, melodic poems prescribing women as obedient housewives and men as stoic providers as prescribed code of conduct for society. . Cambodia’s youth are increasingly challenging these restrictive standards, asking a vital question: Who is responsible for change? Is it the oppressed who must speak up, the society that enforces the tradition or the institutions that shape policy?

The HBF Cambodia team sat down with an emerging voice in the local hip-hop scene: Sang Sok Serey, the one and only female Cambodian rapper. Serey’s music, in particular her track “Her Voice”, directly challenges the choke-hold of the Chbabs.

In this conversation Serey talks about possibilities of intergenerational dialogue and ways forward requiring monumental shifts for all Cambodians to build an identity rooted in gender relations independent of the past.

Serey says, "Everyone’s voice has their own reason and [...] their own way."

Before you dive into the interview, we invite you to listen to "Her Voice"—which opens with the traditional melody of the Chbab Srey, before Serey’s rap breaks through.

SANGSOKSEREY-សំឡេងនាង HER VOICE

SANGSOKSEREY-សំឡេងនាង HER VOICE Official Music Video - Sang SokSerey OFFICIAL

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Redefining Gender: How Hip Hop Challenges Cambodia’s Traditional Gender Codes

Redefining Gender: How Hip Hop Challenges Cambodia’s Traditional Gender Codes - Heinrich Böll Stiftung Cambodia

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Articles

Getting Rid of Gendered Stereotypes in Cambodia

Analysis

Rigid gender norms in Cambodia continue to reinforce a version of masculinity that tends to stifle progress toward gender equality. These outdated norms harm both women and men, fueling gender-based violence, and stigmatizing nonconformity.

Kong Sreynou

Many people believe it is acceptable for a husband to hit his wife in certain situations.

The Unseen Victims of Sexual Abuse

It is not very hard for misconceptions and myths — such as ideas about child sexual abuse — to spread through a society and are often entrenched into a community’s understanding of the issue. This misinformation process is acute when talking about boys who have faced abuse, with little to no discussion on how sexual abuse affects Cambodia's boys.

Lean In: Conversation about Gender Norms

Misogynistic social norms and gender roles heavily favor men in Cambodia, a sad trend that transcends many parts of the world. These norms can be so entrenched and hard to change that even frank discussions around changing attitudes towards gender equality, gender-based violence and empowerment of marginalized groups can be fraught.

Join the wider dialogue by exploring the full dossier Masculinities in Asia: What About the Boys, featuring diverse reflections on masculinity from China, India, Myanmar, and South Korea.