No Peace Without Land: Securing the Future of Cambodia’s Indigenous Women

The 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) arrives at a critical juncture for global gender equality. While the United Nations has set a broad, systemic agenda through its theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” individual nations like Cambodia have tailored their focus to domestic priorities. Cambodia’s national theme, “Peace and Security for Women and Family,” offers a localized lens through which to view the broader pursuit of justice.

For Cambodia’s indigenous women, these two themes are not merely abstract concepts—they are deeply intertwined with the soil beneath their feet.

The Global Context: Rights, Justice, and Action

The UN General Assembly’s 2026 theme signals a shift from “awareness” to “accountability.” It acknowledges that while many rights exist on paper, the mechanisms of Justice remain out of reach for millions, and the call for Action is a demand for enforceable policy.

Globally, women continue to face a “justice gap” in areas ranging from economic parity to protection against gender-based violence. The inclusion of “For ALL” is a deliberate nod to intersectionality, recognizing that indigenous women, women with disabilities, and those in conflict zones face compounded layers of discrimination that require specific, targeted action.

The Cambodian Context: Peace and Security

Cambodia’s theme, “Peace and Security for Women and Family,” reflects a society still navigating the long-term path of post-conflict reconstruction and rapid economic development. In the Cambodian cultural and political narrative, “Peace” is often framed as the foundation of all progress. However, for women, “Security” is increasingly defined beyond the absence of war; it encompasses economic stability, physical safety, and, crucially, legal certainty.

Linking Peace to Land Security for Indigenous Women

For the indigenous women of Cambodia—such as the Kui, Bunong, and Jarai—peace is inseparable from the land. In indigenous worldviews, land is not just a commodity; it is the source of identity, spirituality, and livelihood.

1. Land as Economic Security: Indigenous women are often the primary managers of traditional farming and forest resources. When land is lost to Economic Land Concessions (ELCs) or encroachment, women lose their ability to provide for their families, leading to a breakdown in the “Security for Family” promised by the national theme.
2. Land as Physical Safety: Land disputes often lead to “criminalization” of activists. Indigenous women who stand at the frontlines of forest protection frequently face intimidation or legal threats. Real “Peace” cannot exist while women live in fear of displacement or prosecution for defending their ancestral homes.
3. The Communal Land Titling (CLT) Process: While Cambodia has a legal framework for Collective Land Titles, the process is often slow and bureaucratic. Accelerating this is the most direct way to achieve the UN’s goal of “Justice” for indigenous women.

Recommendations for the Cambodian Government

To transform the 2026 themes from slogans into reality, the Royal Government of Cambodia should consider the following actions to achieve real peace and security for indigenous women:

• Expedite Collective Land Titling: Streamline the registration process for indigenous communal land. Reducing the bureaucratic hurdles and costs associated with CLTs will provide the legal “Justice” required to protect indigenous territories from encroachment.
• Implement Gender-Sensitive Land Dispute Resolution: Ensure that women have a formal and safe role in land conflict mediation. Peace is only sustainable if the voices of those most affected by land loss—the women—are centered in the solution.
• Enforce FPIC (Free, Prior, and Informed Consent): Strictly mandate that any development project or concession affecting indigenous lands must obtain the meaningful consent of the community, with a specific requirement for the participation of indigenous women.
• Protect Environmental Defenders: Create a safe environment for indigenous women activists. This involves ending the use of the judicial system to silence those advocating for land rights, thereby aligning domestic practice with the international call for “Action.”
• Invest in Indigenous-Led Social Services: Provide support for education and healthcare that is culturally appropriate and accessible in indigenous languages, ensuring that the “Security” of the family includes the preservation of indigenous heritage.

By securing the land, Cambodia secures the future of its indigenous women. When an indigenous woman can stand on her own soil without fear, she is no longer just a subject of a theme—she is the embodiment of Rights, Justice, and Peace.