The Good Daughters of Cambodia

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS

1.Chbab Srey teaches women how to be a ‘proper’ khmer women through a set of rules. Feminists find this code of conduct problematic as it tends to pressure women to embody and perform strict gender norms. 

2.Chbab Srey is still widely taught in Cambodia at school, within families, communities and the larger society. In families, it is an integral parts of women and girls’ education. At secondary schools, approaches from teachers vary but extracts of the poetic form are usually covered in classes like Khmer literature and social studies. Women and girls also learn about Chbab Srey from the older generations, the pagoda, the Tum Teav folk tale, the media as well as online platforms like Facebook, Tik Tok and Youtube. 

3.Our data shows that a majority of research participants support some of the rules of Chabb Srey they find useful and valuable, whilst recognising that other ones can be problematic towards women’s rights and gender equality. Three quarter of our participants encourage the teachings of Chbab Srey as means to understand and preserve Khmer tradition and culture. 

4.Most research participants agree that some parts of Chab Srey have a negative impact on women’s and girls’ lives. Among the negative impacts women and girls are facing are (1) pressure and judgement, (2) discrimination and unequal opportunities, (3) gender-based violence and (4) the effects of harmful gender norms.

5. The influence of globalisation, internet and social media as well as progress in women’s rights shifted perception on Chbab Srey that is practiced with more flexibility in urban areas by the younger generations. The older generations and women and girls from rural areas are upholding the code of conduct more strictly. 

6.Whilst 26,6% of research participants ask for a full removal of Chbab Srey from school curriculums, the majority of research participants prefers to keep parts of the code of conduct within the education system. A significant proportion of participants suggest to keep teaching Chbab Srey at school, yet through a more reflective and critical approach that includes insights on gender equality and human rights.