Legal Support for Children and Women

After a destructive past, Cambodia is still faced with severe problems in all sectors of society (political, economic, social, environmental, legal, and infrastructural). A particular difficulty involves the enforcement of the rule of law as it applies to children and women.

Under current law, all human beings are in theory equal. Discrimination, between those who have power and those who do not, between rich and poor, between men and women, between children and adults, is not permitted. Unfortunately, in reality much help is needed to develop effective planning and implementation of law, especially in the realms of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, rape and abuse.

Legal Support for Children and Women (LSCW) was founded following a year of research and analysis on conditions afflicting children and women in Cambodian society. We are working to promote gender equality, protect children and women from all forms of exploitation, push for the respect of their rights, and increase children and women’s awareness of those rights, with offices in Phnom Penh, and Koh Kong and Prey Veng provinces. LSCW also extends its work to Cambodian men, women and children trafficked during labour migration. LSCW provides legal assistance and support through trained Cambodian lawyers to victims, and continued research into conditions affecting women and children and Cambodian migrant workers. It is hoped that this work will enable the raising of awareness of the target group, and the building of capacity of those in need.

The LSCW team aims to achieve and foster cooperation and collaboration among NGOs, international organisations, UN governments and civil society actors, both at the national and regional levels, in an effort to find solutions to the problems existing today in Cambodia.

LSCW’s work is carried out with the generous support of donors, funding institutions, NGOs and private citizens all over the world. To allow most LSCW projects to proceed, we need community groups, individuals, organisations and businesses to help raise funds. These groups get involved and make a difference to their world through simple acts like volunteering, donating to our emergency appeals, and offering sponsorship and bequests.

Mrs Era Ly and children

Mr Ngam Ly

Mrs Polly Botsford

Mr Christian Truong

Mr Varann Ly and family

Mr Alexandre Truong

Mrs Narin Chan and family

Mr and Mrs Pou Youthoan

Ms Yam Khoan Pisey

All our volunteers