Building on WPM’s previous research, this report revisits Local Dispute Resolution (LDR)
practices in Cambodia, focusing on intimate partner disputes. It examines the implementation
of LDR and its impact on women’s rights and well-being, identifying both opportunities and
challenges in ensuring equitable access to justice amidst high rates of intimate partner violence
(IPV) and systemic barriers within the formal legal system.
By analyzing the experiences of service providers and service users, the report explores how
LDR practices align with or diverge from principles of gender sensitivity and survivor centeredness.
It highlights the urgent need for reform in both traditional dispute resolution
mechanisms and the formal legal system to ensure women survivors of violence can access
justice. The participation of service providers in Gender Responsive Mediation (GRM)
training, although promising, has revealed areas for improvement in ensuring they are fully
equipped to navigate the complexities of IPV. This signals an opportunity for refining training
modules to more effectively translate theoretical knowledge into practical competencies that
align with the principles of gender equality and justice.
As Cambodia continues to grapple with the dual challenges of high IPV rates and systemic
barriers to justice, the findings of this report serve to inform future policy reform, research,
and programmatic interventions. It is hoped that through the lens of these insights, a more
equitable and effective LDR landscape that not only respects but actively promotes the rights
and safety of women can be envisaged.
Read and download here: Prospects and Challenges for Women’s Access to Justice
